Bhutanese Boxers Shine in Kathmandu, Bag 11 Medals

A delegation of Bhutanese boxers showcased their prowess in Kathmandu on February 1, earning a remarkable haul of 11 medals – four gold and seven silver – in a fiercely contested boxing event.

Representing Bhutan were 11 athletes, including five talented women, who went head-to-head against competitors from Nepal’s national team, the Boxmandu Club, as well as the Nepal Army and Nepal Police boxing squads. The tournament, held as part of a six-day joint training camp, featured bouts across 12 weight divisions, offering an intensive experience for all participants.

The gold medal honors were clinched by Tandin N. Wangchuk, Kinga Wangmo, Tashi Yoezer, and Kinley. Meanwhile, Sonam Choden, Sangay Choden, Migmar Dorji, Karma Wangchuk, Chimmi Wangmo, Norbu Dema, and Dorji Wangdi took home silver medals.

Tashi Yoezer, one of the gold medalists, expressed heartfelt pride in the collective performance of the team. “I am honoured to win this medal. Our team performed exceptionally well, and the experience helped us gain new skills for future international competitions,” he said, reflecting the optimism that permeated the camp.

Bhutan’s participation in the event was part of a broader strategy led by the Bhutan Boxing Federation (BBF), which dispatched the athletes and four officials to Nepal on January 27. The training camp not only provided a platform for honing boxing techniques but also served as a crucial preparatory step for the forthcoming Four-Nation International Boxing Tournament. The April event, set to be hosted in Bhutan, will witness fierce competition from teams representing India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

National boxing coach Sonam Penjore noted that the Kathmandu tournament offered an essential benchmarking opportunity for Bhutanese boxers. “This success reflects the quality of training we are providing in Bhutan. Competing against Nepal’s top boxers gave our team an excellent opportunity to improve,” he said. Penjore also emphasized that such international exposure is vital, especially given the challenges back home, where the availability of sparring partners is limited.

One of the competing boxers highlighted the significance of these training camps, noting, “The joint training in Nepal was effective as boxers learnt from many sparring partners in individual weight categories.” This kind of exposure is seen as indispensable for enhancing skills and preparing for high-stakes international tournaments.

Following the event, the Bhutanese team returned to the capital with renewed energy and focus. The experience in Kathmandu is expected to play a pivotal role as they intensify their preparations for the upcoming tournament on home soil.

With such stellar performances, the future looks promising for Bhutanese boxing, as athletes continue to build on international experiences to prepare for greater challenges ahead.

Total
0
Shares
Related Posts