The closing day of the East India Khelo India Women’s Judo League brought cheers for Tripura, as the state clinched a remarkable tally of 18 medals, including seven Gold medals.
The competition was hosted at Imphal in Manipur. The three-day event culminated on Thursday, leaving a resounding mark of triumph for the Tripura contingent.
In a series of spectacular displays, Tripura’s judo prodigies showcased their prowess. Ruma Debnath set the tone early on Thursday morning by securing Tripura’s first gold medal in the junior division.
Subsequently, Hema Devi Chakma and Debree Darlong joined the gold medalists’ league, contributing significantly to the state’s commanding performance.
The standout performer, Debree Darlong, securee gold in both the junior and senior divisions, exhibiting unparalleled skill and determination.
In the senior division, Hema Devi Chakma and Anusaliya Reang displayed good performances and earned Silver medals. Ruma Debnath added to Tripura’s glory with a bronze medal in the senior category.
Notably, all members of the Tripura team are students hailing from the Tripura Sports School.
The coaches and players of the state’s judo contingent were elated with the team’s extraordinary success, expressing their joy and pride at the outstanding performance.
Apu Roy, the Joint Secretary of the Tripura School Sports Board, extended heartfelt congratulations to the triumphant judokas for their stellar achievements.
Roy expressed confidence that this resounding success would serve as a catalyst, propelling the athletes towards even greater accomplishments in the future.
The journey to glory was not without its challenges. Sujeta Das, despite a commendable performance, faced an unfortunate injury during the final match against Manipur for the gold medal in the 40 kg category, forcing her to withdraw from the competition.
Furthermore, Indrani Das and Hema Debi emerged victorious on the second day, securing gold medals in their respective weight categories. However, the spirited efforts of Uma Begum, Sujeta Das, Debree Darlong, and Jisa Chakma culminated in silver medals in the 40 kg category.
Akanksha Ghosh showcased remarkable prowess by winning her initial bouts in the 44 kg category but faced tough competition from Manipur’s Judoka in the bronze medal match, conceding defeat.
Poppy Bhaumik, Chandramukhi Chakma, Anusuya Riang, and Priti Sinha contributed to Tripura’s medal tally by securing bronze medals in their respective divisions.
The journey began on a high note for Tripura, with Tania Das clinching the inaugural gold medal for the state in the sub-junior division on the competition’s opening day.
Overall Tripura amassed an impressive count of 11 medals, including three Gold medals.