February 4, 2025
THIMPHU – Bhutanese boxers delivered a stellar performance in Kathmandu, Nepal, securing 11 medals—including four gold and seven silver—at a boxing competition held on February 1.
Gold medals were claimed by Tandin N. Wangchuk, Kinga Wangmo, Tashi Yoezer, and Kinley, while Sonam Choden, Sangay Choden, Migmar Dorji, Karma Wangchuk, Chimmi Wangmo, Norbu Dema, and Dorji Wangdi earned silver.
The Bhutanese contingent, comprising 11 athletes—five of them women—competed against Nepal’s national boxers, as well as boxers from Boxmandu Club, the Nepal Army, and the Nepal Police teams.
Gold medalist Tashi Yoezer expressed pride in the team’s achievement. “I am honoured to win this medal. Our team performed exceptionally well, and the experience helped us gain new skills for future international competitions,” he said.
The matches were part of a six-day joint training camp in Nepal, featuring bouts across 12 weight categories.
The Bhutan Boxing Federation (BBF) sent its athletes to Nepal on January 27, accompanied by four officials, as part of preparations for the upcoming Four-Nation International Boxing Tournament in April. The event, to be hosted in Bhutan, will feature boxers from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
According to national boxing coach Sonam Penjore, the competition in Nepal was a valuable test for Bhutanese athletes. “This success reflects the quality of training we are providing in Bhutan. Competing against Nepal’s top boxers gave our team an excellent opportunity to improve,” he said.
He said the competition in Nepal provided an opportunity for the Bhutanese to compete against top boxers of the host country. “The four-Nation International Boxing Tournament is crucial and we will prepare well,” he said.
Boxers also highlighted the importance of international training camps, as limited sparring partners in Bhutan pose a challenge. “The joint training in Nepal was effective as boxers learnt from many sparring partners in individual weight categories,” said a boxer.
Sparring refers to practising boxing with a partner in a boxing ring.
The joint training also enhances exposure for Bhutanese athletes as the international training and competition are negligible owing to budget constraints.
The team returned to the capital yesterday, energised and ready to refine their skills ahead of the home tournament.