Bhutanese para-athletes are set to compete at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, which begins tomorrow. Bhutan is participating in the Games following an invitation from the International Paralympic Committee and the World Archery Federation.
Three para-athletes left for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games earlier this month. They were undergoing pre-games training at the SEISA Hakone Campus before leaving for the Paralympic Village on Friday.
Pema Rigsel, 34, will compete in para-archery. He will represent the country in men’s individual recurve open on August 27 and September 3.
“I participated in international tournaments before. And based on those experiences, I trained hard for this event. I am hoping to do better than my past performances. I feel proud to get the opportunity to participate in the event,” said Pema Rigsel.
Likewise, Gyeltshen Gyeltshen and Chimi Dema will be competing in shot put for short stature athletes. Their events are scheduled for August 29 and September 4 respectively.
“I am proud that I am participating in the Paralympic Games for the first time. We will be raising our national flag along with many other countries. We have been training hard, and I am well prepared for the Games,” said Gyeltshen Gyeltshen.
“I feel blessed and thrilled because I will be the national flag bearer during the Paralympic Games opening tomorrow,” said Chimi Dema.
This is the first time Bhutanese para-athletes are participating in the Paralympic Games since the inception of the Bhutan Paralympic Committee in 2017.
Tshering Dendup
