champion
Players of East Sikkim district who emerged overall champion at the 17th State Karate Championship 2019. Image credit - Northeast Now

East Sikkim district emerged as the overall champion of the 17th State Karate Championship 2019 held on October 1-2 at the indoor gymnasium hall in Paljor Stadium complex here.

East Sikkim district won 24 gold medals to lift the team championship trophy.

The West Sikkim District was adjudged the runners-up with 15 gold medals in team championship and South Sikkim district secured the third position with 5 gold medals.

The two-day long championship was organised by the Sikkim State Karate-Do Association (SSKA).

A total of 277 karatekas from East, West and South Sikkim districts participated in 44 categories of the championship.

The championship had cadet (boys & girls), sub-junior (boys & girls), junior (boys & girls) and U-21 (men & women) categories.

The official inaugural function of the championship was held on Wednesday morning.

The inaugural programme was attended by Sikkim minister for sports & youth affairs Kunga Nima Lepcha as the chief guest.

Likewise, the valedictory function of the championship was attended by the president of the Sikkim Olympic Association, BK Roka as the chief guest on Wednesday evening.

SSKA president Bijoy Gurung informed that the gold medallists of the state championship will represent Sikkim in the upcoming North East Karate Championship to be held in December at Guwahati and the upcoming National Karate Championship.

Sagar Chhetri is Northeast Now Correspondent in Gangtok. He can be reached at: [email protected]