Chhukha district has won the 17th National Inter-District Taekwondo Championship. The finals were played yesterday, in Phuentshogling. The championship which is an annual event could not be organised for the last three years due to the COVID pandemic.
Participants of Chhukha won five gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal.
Thimphu came second with two gold medals, four silver medals and three bronze medals.
It was followed by a team from Wangdue Phodrang.
The tournament saw more than 150 participants, mostly students.
Officials said that more people are now taking an interest in Taekwondo.
“We do conduct such tournaments among the schools. The selected ones participate in this championship and then the best ones will be participating in the National Black Belt championship. So, all these championships are organised to select the best ones so that they can participate at the international level,” said Phurba Dorji, National Coach of the Bhutan Taekwondo Federation.
“Taekwondo has physical benefits. Along with that, it also benefits for our emotions and mental health,” said Kinley Tandin, a gold medalist.
According to the officials, there were more female participants than male, unlike the past years. More than half of the participants were female.
“It has been about seven years since I have started playing Taekwondo. I started when I was about six years old. I was encouraged when I saw my seniors playing Taekwondo. At first, I used to get scared and didn’t have the confidence but gradually everything got better. I have the urge to do better every time,” said Kinley Om, a gold medalist.
The winning teams were awarded cash prizes, and trophies and all medalists were awarded medals and certificates.
Participants from 14 districts took part in the tournament.
The Phuentshogling Taekwondo Association in collaboration with Bhutan Taekwondo Federation with support from the Bhutan Olympic Committee organised the event.
Kinley Dem
Edited by Tshering Zam
