Team Bhutan to Compete in 8th NECOS National Judo Association Tournament in Nepal

Team Bhutan will depart tomorrow to take part in the 8th edition of the NECOS National Judo Association Tournament in Nepal, a major competition that brings together many of the strongest judo clubs from across the country.

The Bhutanese team will feature athletes from two clubs, the Bhutan Judo Association based in Thimphu and Gelephu Judo Club. In total, the delegation consists of 17 members including 14 athletes and three coaches. Six athletes are from Gelephu Judo Club, while the remaining competitors are from the Bhutan Judo Association in Thimphu.

The team includes a mix of senior and junior judokas, combining experienced competitors with promising young athletes who are continuing to grow in the sport. Among the athletes are four recipients of the Bhutan Olympic Committee’s BEAST scholarship programme, including one silver level and three bronze level athletes who are expected to add strength and depth to the squad.

Leading the team is Head Coach Ashida Shoki, a Japan International Cooperation Agency volunteer currently supporting the development of judo in Bhutan. According to him, the athletes have been preparing intensively for the tournament over the past two months.

“The athletes have shown strong commitment during the last two months of training. We have focused on improving their techniques, physical conditioning and fighting spirit. This tournament will give them the opportunity to test themselves against strong judokas and gain valuable competition experience,” said Ashida.

Assistant Coach Purna Gurung will also be part of the team. Gurung brings a wealth of experience, having spent ten years as a judo athlete and the past six years working as a coach. “The team has trained well and the athletes are ready to compete. They have put in a lot of effort during preparation, and tournaments like this are important for building confidence and sharpening their skills on the tatami,” he said.

The NECOS tournament is known for its strong level of competition, as many clubs from across Nepal come together to compete, making it a challenging platform for athletes.

Bhutan has performed well in previous editions of the competition. In the seventh edition, Team Bhutan secured third place overall among 40 participating teams. Earlier, in the sixth edition, Bhutan finished in second place.

As the tournament enters its eighth edition, the Bhutanese team is hopeful of continuing its strong run and building on its past success while proudly representing the country on the international tatami.

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