PROMOTING THE SPIRIT AND ART OF JUDO IN BHUTAN
Bhutan Judo Association
Judo was introduced in Bhutan by Pelkhil Judo Club, a school club established by Pelkhil School in 2010. In 2015, PJC received affiliation from Bhutan Olympic Committee and assumed the title of Bhutan Judo Association, and began serving as the national sports federation for Judo in Bhutan.
Bhutan Judo is the sole organization promoting Judo in Bhutan. BJA was initially established as Pelkhil Judo Club by Pelkhil School. The school continues to sponsor and support all BJA programs and activities. All elite Judoka in Bhutan received full scholarships to study at Pelkhil School while training in Judo.
The initial reason for introducing Judo in Bhutan was borne out of the observation that the tough Bhutanese kids of earlier years were rapidly being replaced by an ipad generation lacking in both physical and mental toughness.
Judo was found to be the most suitable martial art as an activity to correct this. Judo is not a violent martial art and would face the least resistance from parents. It is also a whole-body activity that develops the whole body in a balanced way. Most of all, Judo is a program that teaches values for successful community welfare. In many ways, the values of Judo and GNH overlap and this was found to be particularly appealing for Bhutan.
While Judo is a very new sport in Bhutan and its numbers still very small, BJA actively conducts its programs all year long with two tournaments held almost every year since 2010. With a steady grassroots program supported by scholarships from Pelkhil School, a steady talent path has been forged.
BJA in partnership with Pelkhil School has given dozens of Judo scholarships to deserving students with potential. Many of these students would not have completed high school without this program and many have gone on to complete university.
- Vision: Promoting the spirit and art of judo in Bhutan
- Mission: Introduce children to the gentle way
Quick Info
- Name of the Organization: Bhutan Judo Association
- Abbreviation (if any): BJA
- Type of Organization (e.g., National Federation, District Association): NATIONAL FEDERATION
- Date of Establishment: 2010, BOC AFFILIATION IN 2015
- Office Address: TASHI PELKHIL VILLAGE, NAZHIRAMA, THIMPHU
- Phone/ Mobile Number: 17110083
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Official Website (if available): JUDO.DORJI.NET
- Social Media Links: FACEBOOK/BHUTANJUDOASSOCIATION
Key Milestones
- BJA received affiliation from International Judo Federation and Judo Union of Asia in 2016. Bhutan is IJF’s 196th member country.
- In 2018, Phub Dem (-48kg) won Bronze at the South Asian Judo Championship. In 2019, Kinley Tshering (-66kg), Tandin Wangchuk (-73kg) and Ngawang Namgyel (-60kg) each won Bronze at the South Asian Games in Nepal. Also in 2019, the trio participated at the prestigious World Judo Championship in Tokyo, Japan. In 2021, Ngawang Namgyel represented Bhutan at Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan.
- Yeshay Nidup won Bronze and Kinley Tshering won Silver at the Thailand International Judo Championship in 2023.
President
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Name
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Year
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|---|---|
|
KARMA L. DORJI
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2025
|
Key Personnel
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Name
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Designation
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Year
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|---|---|---|
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Phintsho Namgay
|
Admin
|
2025
|
|
Sonam Topjor Atuk
|
|
2025
|
|
Rie K. Dorji
|
|
2025
|
|
Bikash Tamang
|
Asst Coach
|
2025
|
|
Purna Gurung
|
Asst Coach
|
2025
|
Calender 2025
- Weekly Training All Year Long, For Beginners, Juniors and Seniors – Pelkhil Judo Club, Gelephu Judo Club, Zilnoen Judo Club, Zilukha Judo Club, Losel Gyatsho Judo Club
- Winter Judo Camp and Tournament: Dec-Jan 2025, Thimphu
- Judo Camp with All Japan Judo Federation – Feb 2025, Thimphu
- Jita Kyoei International Judo Tournament – April 2025, Thimphu
- Hong Kong Judo Open – HK – For National Team
- Taipei Judo Open – Taiwan – For National Team
- Thailand Judo Championship – Bangkok – For National Team
- Gyalsung Judo Coach Training and Certification – September, Thimphu
- Cadet and Junior International Judo Tournament – April. Thimphu – South Asian Level
- 2nd International Children’s Judo Tournament – August, Thimphu
Gallery
About Bhutan Olympic Committee
Discover the history of the Bhutan Olympic Committee and learn about its journey and contributions to sports development.