Nineteen young champions celebrated their gold medals in the Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships

The Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships was held in the city of Wangdue which is located 1,273m above the sea level in the Kingdom. Nineteen champions including nine girls celebrated their gold medals in the Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships where six boxers defended their thrones including their best future hope Sonam Yoezer.

The second edition of the Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships was held for their youngest talents to increase their experiences in competition environment. The Bhutan Boxing Federation had elite boxers in the recent years but following their long term programs the country’s management focuses to the younger age groups to find new talents.

The girl boxers attended in nine different categories from the 27kg up to the 52kg weight class which is strong development since the first edition of the Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships. Bhutan Boxing Federation launched its women boxing programs in 2016 and their best Tandin Lhamo attended already in several international tournaments.

The youngest boxers who competed in the Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships were born in 2013 but most of the participants were 10, 11, 12 and 13 years old in the event. Bhutan Boxing Federation is planning to send some of their talents to the 2020 ASBC Asian Schoolgirls & Schoolboys Boxing Championships.

The number of the weight classes have been increased from six up to nine within one year in the Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships where 26 girls competed for the medals. Among the girl boxers Tshewang Cheki (36kg) and Chimi Wangmo (46kg) were able to defend their titles in the Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships.

The smallest 27kg weight class was won by 11-year-old Kinzang Dechen who changed her last year’s silver medal into a gold in 2020. Sonam Zangmo was not the main favourite for the gold medal at the girls 49kg weight class but she was able to beat also the defending champion Sonam Lhamo in the final.

The young boy talents attended in 10 different weight classes at the Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships. The first 24kg weight class was won by Rigden Yoezer who defeated Ngawang Jigme Thinley in the final of the smallest division. Yeshi Wangchuk achieved gold medal at the 30kg weight class one year ago and he was able to repeat that success at the 33kg following his success over Tshering Wangchuk.

Kinley Phuntsho won the 33kg weight class in 2019 and claimed his second gold at the 37kg in the new edition. Dechen Dorji won the title at the 39kg division in the first edition one year ago and he repeated that performance in his new 43kg weight class where he defeated Yeshi Norbu for the title.

Sonam Yoezer was gold medallist at the 36kg last year and competed at the 46kg weight class in the new edition. The 13-year-old talent is one of the best boxers in his age group who has put up 10kg new muscles since the last 2019 edition. Yoezer met in the final with Sonam Phuntsho and showed his technique in the final of the event taking his second national gold medal in Bhutan.

List of the winners in the Bhutan Sub-Junior National Championships
Girls 27kg: Kinzang Dechen
Girls 30kg: Sangay Pelden
Girls 33kg: Tashi Choden
Girls 35kg: Tshewang Cheki
Girls 40kg: Norbu Dema
Girls 43kg: Pema Yangden
Girls 46kg: Chimi Wangmo
Girls 49kg: Sonam Zangmo
Girls 52kg: Tshering Yuden
Boys 24kg: Rigden Yoezer
Boys 27kg: Tshering Dorji
Boys 30kg: Pema Namdel
Boys 33kg: Yeshi Wangchuk
Boys 35kg: Kinzang Tenzin
Boys 37kg: Kinley Phuntsho
Boys 40kg: Nidup Phuntsho
Boys 43kg: Dechen Dorji
Boys 46kg: Sonam Yoezer
Boys 49kg: Nidup Dorji

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