Kathmandu, April 24, 2018: Nepali women ranked second on 8th South Asian Judo Championship which was held in Lalitpur, Nepal from 21st April to 23rd April, 2018. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in this three day championship. There was participation of total 102 players from participating countries.
The gold medals of 8th South Asian Judo Championship was claimed by India in both categories.In the final of women’s category, India defeated Nepal by 5-0. In the finals of women’s team below-63kg weight category Phupu Lhamu Khatri,Olympian and 12th South Asian Games gold medallist lost to Sunibala Devi Huidrom, while in below-52kg, Devika Khadka was beaten by Shushila Devi Likmambam. In below-57kg, Manita Shrestha Pradhan was defeated by Angom Anita Chanu, while in below-70kg Bhawana Gharti Magar went down to Garima Choudhary and in above-70kg Punam Shrestha suffered defeat against Tulika Maan. Pakistan secured bronze medal beating Bangladesh by 4-1.
In the finals of men’s team below-66kg India’s Vijay Kumar Yadav defeated Pakistan’s Babar Hussain by 3-2, while in below-81kg Divesh saw off Muhammad Abbas and in below-90kg Jobandeep Singh beat Qaisar Khan. In below-73kg Pakistan’s Nadeem Akram beat India’s Ajay Yadav, while in above-90kg Shah Hussain Shah outplayed Udayvir Singh. Sri Lanka finished third with a 3-2 victory over Nepal.
India took 13 medals home in total with 10 gold and 3 bronze. Likewise, Nepal claimed 21 medals in total with two gold, six silver and 13 bronze medals. Pakistan standing third on the list won two gold, three silver and three bronze medals. Whereas, Sri Lanka claimed three silver and five bronze medals, Bangladesh bagged two each silver and bronze medals and Bhutan won one bronze medal.
In this regional competition Nepal being the host was allowed to feature two team A and B of 36 players in total whereas all other participating countries was field one team each comprising of 9 male players and 9 female players.
According to Deepak Harsha Bajracharya President of Nepal Judo Association, “this tournament is a preparation for the upcoming Asian Games”.
From the recent meeting of the South Asian Judo Federation, decision was made that 9th South Asian Judo Championship will be held in Bangladesh in 2020. In addition, the junior and cadet championship of 2019 will be hosted by Sri Lanka.
