India swells with pride: Royally clinches to 14 gold medals at 8th South Asian Judo Championship
Lalitpur, April 23: Opening with flying colours, ‘Bhartiya Nari’ won 10 gold medals in ongoing 8th South Asian Judo Championship in Lalitpur. Out of the total 14 gold medals, India won 7 gold medals contested under women-single categories and the remaining 3 under men-single categories.
President Ram Nath Kovind congratulated the medalists with a pride, saying “Delighted that Indian women athletes have won all seven gold medals at the 8th South Asian Judo Championship in Nepal. Combined with three gold medals bagged in the men’s section, this leaves us proud.”
On the first day of championship, Indian women made a clean sweep and won all 4 gold medals on Saturday.
India's L. Sushila Devi got a first gold medal for the country in minus 48 kg category. She defeated Humaira Ashiq of Pakistan in the final. Within few minutes Kalpana Devi Thoudam also won gold in minus 52 kg. Kalpana beat Maryam of Pakistan. In minus 57 kg category, A. Anita Chanu bagged third gold for the country by defeating Lila Adhikari of Nepal. In the last bout of the day, H. Sunibala Devi defeated Phupu Lhamu Khatri of Nepal in minus 63 kg category and won the fourth gold medal for India.
India, in total, claimed over 13 medals with 10 gold and three bronze. Nepal claimed two gold, six silver and 13 bronze medals, with 21 medals in total.
Pakistan standing third on the list won two gold, three silver and three bronze medals.Likewise, Sri Lanka won three gold and five bronze medals followed by Bangladesh with two silver and two bronze medals.Bhutan was left with just one bronze medal.
India bagged two bronze medals. Besides host Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participating in a 3 day championship.This is the fourth time Nepal is hosting South Asian Judo Championship.