Youth Sports | South Asia

Bhutan Emerges Champion at South Asia Youth Judo Tournament with 23 Medals

With six gold medals and a strong home performance, Bhutan leads regional judo’s rising tide

Desk Report
May 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Bhutan Emerges Champion at South Asia Youth Judo Tournament with 23 Medals

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Bhutan emerged as the top-performing nation at the inaugural South Asia Youth Judo Development Tournament and Camp, held in Thimphu on (May 10), taking home an impressive 23 medals, including six gold, 12 silver, and five bronze.

The landmark regional event, hosted by the Bhutan Judo Association (BJA) and supported by the Government of India, brought together around 60 young judokas from Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, with participants competing in 15 categories for athletes under 20.

Nepal followed with six medals (four gold, one silver, one bronze), while India secured five (four gold, one bronze), and Bangladesh earned four (two gold, two silver).

Themed “Build the base. Champions will rise,” the tournament marked a major step forward for youth judo in the region, combining both competitive and developmental goals. Alongside the medal bouts, the event included mixed-team competitions, technical workshops, and cultural exchange opportunities.

“This tournament is about more than medals,” said Purna Gurung, coach of the BJA. “It’s about creating bonds across borders, improving skills, and giving young athletes the confidence and motivation to dream bigger. Judo in South Asia is still developing, and such platforms are vital to that growth.”

One of the standout stars of the event was Kinley Pelden, a 14-year-old student from Gelephu Lower Secondary School, who clinched gold in the 44kg weight category.

“This is my second international gold medal,” Kinley said proudly. “I believe Bhutan has a bright future in judo, and with continued training and support, we can compete at the highest levels.” She credited her coaches, parents, and school for her success.

From India, Supriya Singha, 15, also shone with a gold medal performance.

“I trained six days a week to prepare for this. Beyond winning, I gained so much from competing here,” she said. “Judo gives girls strength, confidence, and courage. My dream is to compete at the Olympics.”

A special feature of the tournament was the mixed-team competition, where athletes from different countries were grouped into five multicultural teams, fostering camaraderie and cross-border friendships. Boys and girls fought side-by-side under the guidance of experienced coaches from across the region.The tournament concluded with a spirit of celebration and unity, reinforcing the role of sport in bridging cultures and building the next generation of champions.

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