Bhutanese Judokas Shine at Lucknow’s SPARDHA Tournament, Securing Four Medals
LUCKNOW – In a display of grit and technical prowess, a contingent of young Bhutanese judokas returned home from India with a haul of four medals following the conclusion of the second edition of the SPARDHA sports tournament. The event, hosted at the City Montessori School’s Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) campus in Lucknow, served as a significant stage for Bhutan’s rising martial arts talent.
The Bhutanese athletes dominated their respective weight categories, securing two gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. Tandin Dorji Wangmo, representing Zilnoen Lower Secondary School, clinched the gold in the women’s under-57kg division, while Kinzang Deki, a school dropout who has excelled in the sport, secured the top spot in the women’s over-78kg category. The podium success continued with Jigme Kuenzang Yoezer taking silver in the under-40kg class, and Pema Yangtshog of Pelkhil School earning bronze in the under-57kg category.
Navigating Challenges to Achieve Success
For the Bhutanese team, which drew its members from various clubs and schools across Thimphu and Gelephu, the road to Lucknow was far from smooth. According to coach Bikash Tamang, the team faced a logistical race against time. With the invitation arriving just six weeks prior to the event, the coaching staff had to condense their training schedule, focusing heavily on physical conditioning, tactical awareness, and technical refinement in a very short window.
The challenges extended beyond the training mat. During the tournament, the athletes faced unpredictable match schedules and reported a lack of coordination from the organizers. These disruptions posed a significant hurdle, often interfering with the team’s carefully planned warm-up routines.
“Despite these challenges, our athletes performed very well by quickly adapting to the circumstances,” coach Tamang said. “The experience taught them valuable lessons, strengthened their confidence, and helped them develop greater resilience and adaptability.”
Addressing the Future of Bhutanese Judo
While the success at SPARDHA highlights the potential of Bhutanese judokas, the Bhutan Judo Association (BJA) remains cautious about the long-term outlook for the sport. In Bhutan, sports are often viewed through a recreational lens rather than as a professional career path. Outside of football, there are few avenues for athletes to secure a sustainable livelihood, leading many to abandon competitive training once they complete high school.
The BJA notes that this “talent drain” is particularly concerning because many athletes are forced to walk away from the sport just as they approach their physical and technical prime in their mid-to-late twenties.
To combat this, the BJA is spearheading a long-term strategic shift. In partnership with the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, the association plans to launch a three-to-five-year grassroots development programme. The initiative aims to establish six new judo clubs across the country, creating a clearer pipeline for athletes to progress from school-level participation to the senior competitive stage.
By combining grassroots expansion with consistent international exposure, the association hopes to transform the landscape of Bhutanese judo, ensuring that talented individuals have the support and resources necessary to pursue their athletic potential well into adulthood.
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