Kathmandu, April 24

Indian  Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri today congratulated the Indian judo  team for winning the titles of the eighth South Asian Judo  Championship that concluded here on Monday.

The embassy hosted a programme in the honour of the victorious judo players. Ambassador Puri lauded the performance of the team members and congratulated them for making the nation proud. “The Indian athletes, especially women, have been giving us reasons to celebrate of late,” said Puri. “Congratulations to all of you for your performance in Nepal and all the best for your future events,” he added.

India  bagged 10 gold medals and three bronze medals in individual events and  won team championship titles in both men and women categories. Indian  women judokas  bagged all seven gold medals in the championship.

One of the most celebrated  win was Sunibala Devi Huidrom’s victory over Olympian and 12th South  Asian Games gold medallist Phupu Lhamu Khatri of Nepal in individual and team event. Khatri had defeated Huidrom on her way to winning the SA Games gold medal in Shillong in 2015.

“I  am happy that our judokas clean swept the women’s category,” said women’s team coach Tombi Devi. “I had to prepare Huidrom mentally to fight against Khatri as she is a strong player. I asked her to fight without fear and she was able to win her bout.”

Similarly, men’s team coach Vijay Patil praised Nepal Judo Association for organising the event in a managed way. “The hospitality of the organisers was very nice and the venue was also prepared well,” Patil said. “The bouts were tough and still we managed to win the team championship,” he added. Patil also thanked the embassy for inviting the team. “It was a nice gesture from the ambassador as it motivates players for other events.”

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri (third from right) and other officials pose for a group photo with the Indian judo team in Kathmandu on Tuesday.