Bhutan’s sole representative in para athletics, Chimi Dema, is set to compete at the upcoming World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi, India, from March 8 to 13. The 31-year-old shot putter, hailing from Mongar and currently pursuing a degree in sports science at the Royal Thimphu College, is preparing to take on some of the world’s best in the Women’s F40 shot put category.
Over the past two weeks, Chimi Dema has been rigorously training at the Bhutan Amateur Federation’s ground in Thimphu. Under the expert guidance of coach Lhaba Tshering, her daily routine includes two-hour sessions in both the morning and evening, complemented by intensive gym workouts at the Changlimithang Sports Complex. “In training these days, she has been throwing between 5.35m and 5.60m,” said coach Tshering, expressing confidence that she will surpass her previous personal best of 5.71 meters, set during the 2023 Indian Open Para-Athletics International Championships.
Since taking up shot put in 2018, Chimi Dema has represented Bhutan in five major international competitions. Her athletic journey includes appearances at the 2019 Beijing World Para Athletics Grand Prix, the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship in the United Arab Emirates, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the 2023 Indian Open Para-Athletics International Championships, and the Asian Para Games in China in 2023. At the Indian Open, she not only earned a silver medal but also established a benchmark performance that she now aims to match or exceed in New Delhi.
“I am confident about the upcoming competition,” Chimi Dema remarked ahead of her departure for India. “I will try my best. I know that the competition will be challenging, competing with world para-athletes who participate in more international games and undergo consistent training throughout the year.”
As Bhutan’s only para shot putter, Chimi Dema also carries the hopes of inspiring future generations of athletes. She envisions her participation as a rallying point, encouraging both young athletes and their families to pursue and support para sports. Coach Tshering added that, aside from the intense training sessions in Bhutan, Chimi will have additional time to fine-tune her performance once she arrives in New Delhi.
With her sights set on breaking her personal record and further elevating Bhutan’s presence on the international para-athletic stage, Chimi Dema’s journey promises to be a source of national pride and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring para-athletes across the country.
