Bhutan is set to participate in the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025, scheduled to take place from Wednesday in Bahrain. A total of nine young athletes will represent Team Bhutan in six disciplines, including Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Taekwondo, Swimming, and Muay Thai. The participants will be leaving the country on Tuesday.
This marks the country’s third appearance at the continental youth sporting event.
Leading the athletics team, Kinley Dawa Tshering and Chimmi Pelden will run in the Men’s and Women’s 800m races, respectively.
In boxing, Sangay Peldon will compete in the Women’s 54kg category, while Pema Namdol will take part in the Men’s 50kg category.
Sangay Thinley will represent Bhutan in Men’s 50kg Judo, and the Muay Thai events will feature Sonam Dorji and Pema Tsokye Dorji competing in Solo Wai Kru and Mai Muay.
Swimmer Thuksey Jigmi Wangchuk will participate in the Men’s 50m and 100m Freestyle events. In Taekwondo, Lasang Dolma Tamang will compete in the Women’s 49kg category.
Although most of the Athletes are participating at the international level for the first time, they shared their preparedness and hopes of representing Bhutan to their best.
Sonam Dorji said, “Muay Thai and the Wai Kru ritual are being introduced in the country for the first time, and I’m honoured to be competing at the international level for the first time as well. I’ve been preparing diligently under the guidance of a skilled coach. As I represent my country, my goal is to leave a strong impression on this event.”
“This is my first time competing at the international level. To prepare, I train three times over the weekends and twice during school days. I hope to help make Bhutan well-known more through this opportunity,” said Lasang Dolma Tamang.
Sangay Thinley said, “This will be my third time competing at the international level. I’ve been training for about five months. My goal is to win a medal, but even if I don’t, I’m determined to give it my best effort.”
According to the Bhutan Olympic Committee, the selections were done based on general fitness and as a sport-specific fitness test.
“We had a pool of about 40 to 50 kids, which the National Sport Federations nominated as one of the best in their age groups. Accordingly, they had continued training, and through their training, the BOC had conducted a selection test. This selection test has a general fitness test, measuring an athlete’s general fitness, as well as a sport-specific fitness test. In contrast, we can measure the skill level of each of these athletes,” said Sonam Namgyal, Chef de Mission to the Asian Youth Games, who will be leading the team.
Organised under the Olympic Council of Asia, the Asian Youth Games bring together over 4,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries, offering a platform for athletes aged 14 to 17 to showcase their talents and gain international exposure.
This year’s Games will feature 26 sports disciplines covering a total of 259 medal events.
Beyond competition, the 2025 Asian Youth Games represent unity, growth, and cultural exchange. Meanwhile, Bhutan aims to empower its youth, inspire ambition, and shape a brighter sporting future through this platform.
Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
