Bhutan makes its maiden participation in the World Judo Championship 2019 as three Bhutanese Judo fighters are currently taking part in the ongoing event, which started from yesterday in Japan. The World Championship is an annual event held in different countries every year.
Ngawang Namgyel, Kinley Tshering and Tandin Wangchuk from Bhutan Judo Association are representing Bhutan in three different categories.
20-year-old Ngawang Namgyel went head to head against the Bulgarian fighter Valentin Alipiev who is currently ranked 49th in the world. They fought in the minor 60 kg category. Despite the commendable performance put in by Ngawang, the Bulgarian fighter overpowered the Bhutanese fighter as he failed to make it into the next round of the competition.
Likewise, Kinley Tshering fought Gerald Cadet of Haiti in the minor 66 kg category today. Like Ngawang Namgyel, Kinley Tshering also failed to qualify for the next round of the competition as he was beaten by Haitian fighter 1-0.
With two Bhutanese fighters out of the competition, all hope now lies on Tandin Wangchuk who is yet to fight his first match. Tandin will fight the Saudi Arabian fighter Albali, tomorrow in the minor 73 kg category.
The World Judo Championship is the highest level of international judo competition organised by the International Judo Federation. Over 800 Judoka from 147 countries are taking part in the World Judo Championship 2019 in Japan this time.
