Migma Dorji Gives Strong Account in Close Asian Games Bout
NISHIO, AICHI, JAPAN | 22 SEPTEMBER 2026
Migma Dorji opened Bhutan’s campaign at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with a determined and competitive performance against Utsob Ahmed of Bangladesh in the Men’s 55kg Preliminary Round at Nishio Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
From the opening round, Migma matched Ahmed with a composed display, and the bout remained closely contested throughout all three rounds. Both fighters exchanged punches and looked for openings, with Migma continuing to respond to Ahmed’s attacks and push the pace of the contest.
Ahmed ultimately secured the judges’ decision, but the scorecards showed how competitive the bout was. Migma received 28–29, 27–30, 27–30, 28–29 and 28–29, leaving him only a few points short on several of the cards.
Each round brought its own exchanges, with Migma continuing to work under pressure and looking for opportunities to turn the contest in his favour. He stayed in the fight through the final bell, giving everything he had in a demanding three-round encounter on the Asian Games stage.
The result means Migma’s individual campaign at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 comes to an end, with the preliminary-round defeat eliminating him from the Men’s 55kg competition. However, the final result does not fully reflect the competitiveness of the bout, particularly the narrow margins on four of the five judges’ cards.
For Migma, the evening was also about making his mark on a major continental stage. He became the first Bhutanese athlete to begin competition at the 20th Asian Games, officially opening Team Bhutan’s campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.
While he will not progress to the next round, Migma leaves the competition with valuable experience from three hard-fought rounds against international opposition. His performance in Nishio showed his willingness to compete, respond to pressure and stay in the contest until the final bell.
For Team Bhutan, the Asian Games campaign continues, with Migma Dorji having set the first chapter in motion inside the ring at Nishio Gymnasium.
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