Kushhang Leewang
Geyzing, Jan 18
The karate team from Geyzing, representing Sikkim have been able to bag 2 gold, 6 silvers and 1 bronze medals in All India Karate Championship held recently in Patna in the state of Bihar. The Karate team comprised of Dichenla Bhutia, Pincho Namgyal Bhutia, Kimila Pradhan, Angat Chettri, PemPhuti Lepcha and Karma Gyaltshen Bhutia was led by coach and mentor Tshering Yankey Bhutia of Geyzing who had represented the championship also as a match official and refree.
Speaking with media persons here at Geyzing, Tshering Yankey Bhutia informed that the national Karate championship was jointly organised by Karate Academy of India and Marshal Art Institute of India from 11 to 13 January in Patna and more than 2500 Karate players from various states of India had participated in the championship.
In the girls championship the 13 years old Kimila Pradhan bagged the gold medal under – 40 kg category and in the boys category the 8 years old Angat Chettri won a gold and a silver medal in two different category of the championship. Similarly Dichenla Bhutia clinched two silver medals in two different categories along with Prem Phuti Bhutia (18 years) who also bagged 2 silver medals in the championship. Pintsho Namgyal Bhutia (17 years) won a silver while Karma Gyaltshen Bhutia (8 years) settled for a bronze medal in the championship.
Mentor and coach Tshering Yankey Bhutia expressed that she is happy with the way her students fared in the championship. Informing that the championship was tough and competitive, Bhutia said that making Sikkim’s presence felt in the championship and coming home with medals was a great feelings for her and the team. ‘I expect that next time around my students will go to the championship with new vigour and confidence’, she said.
The triumphant participants extended their gratitude to their mentor and coach Tshering Yankey Bhutia for believing in their potential and guiding them through lean patches that they went through during the championship. “It would not have been possible to be the part of national level championship for us without the support and guidance of our coach. It was indeed a great feel
It may be mentioned here that Tshering Yankey Bhutia who has represented India as an official and referee in various national and international Karate championship is well known face in the sporting arena of Sikkim. Bhutia runs a Karate academy in Geyzing which has enrollment of more than 60 students.