Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Karatekas Daniel Dabiangbha Warjri and Gideon Tympuin landed at Umroi Airport on July 21. They carried hardware from the 10th Cadet, Junior, U-21 and Senior South Asian Karate Championship in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The event ran from July 15 to 19. Daniel grabbed gold in the Boys Junior Individual Kumite -68kg event. Gideon locked down bronze in the Men U-21 Individual Kata.
Supporters and the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association greeted them at the terminal. East Shillong MLA M Ampareen Lyngdoh and former MDC Fantin Lakadong joined the crowd. John F Kharshiing, working president of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, also arrived on the same flight from Kolkata to offer congratulations. This victory marks the third straight time Meghalaya karatekas have medaled at this regional tournament.
The athletes qualified for the Indian squad after top-tier finishes at home. Gideon took gold at the 5th KIO Senior and U-21 Nationals in New Delhi this spring. Daniel earned silver at the 5th KIO Junior Nationals in Dehradun back in June. Ksan Kupar Warjri, general secretary of the association, believes these wins provide a boost for local fighters. He noted the high difficulty of the regional stage where Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal field tough teams.
Daniel plans to take gold at the upcoming 39th National Games in Shillong. He hopes to eventually reach the World Championship. Reflecting on the Dhaka event, Daniel said, "The level of competition at the South Asian Championship was higher than at the national level and required different techniques and greater effort." Gideon intends to keep competing for India. The association previously saw success with Banshanlang Kharumnuid, Damang Syngkon, and Linza Fenny Syiem, all products of the late Sensei Stephan Leong.
Comments