By Tula Dhakal
Seven years old Eric Monger stood out as the youngest player from the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community at the recently concluded US Open and Junior Karate International Cup 2024 held in Fort Ward, Texas.
Representing the Druk Shito Kai, Eric Monger from Fargo Karate Club, North Dakota won a silver medal in kumite and a bronze in kata, earning distinction as the youngest player in the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community.
Druk Shito Kai of the Bhutanese community, exhibited outstanding performance in the US Open and Junior International Cup 2024, securing a notable tally of medals.
The event, which was held from March 28th to March 31st, recorded remarkable achievements by the young athletes from the Bhutanese community.
In their inaugural participation in the US Open, Druk Shito Kai made an impressive mark, bagging one gold, two silver, and eight bronze medals.
A contingent comprising 12 athletes from Fargo, North Dakota and Ohio, with eight from the Fargo Karate Club and four from the Ohio Karate Club, participated in the championship. The team was under the guidance of coaches Raj Magar and Danny Tamang, who represented Druk Shito Kai.
Reflecting on the experience, the coach of the Fargo Karate Club expressed pride in the team’s performance, noting their resilience in facing formidable opponents at the national level. He extended his congratulations and best wishes to the team for their remarkable achievements.
Similarly, Bishal Gurung, a member of Druk Shito Kai who participated as an official, emphasized the valuable learning experiences gained from the US Open, highlighting the significance of this year’s competition.
Individual achievements further enriched Druk Shito Kai’s success in the competition. Yashi Tamang secured one gold, one bronze, and another bronze in intermediate kata and kumite.
Jenisha Magar won two bronze medals in intermediate kumite, while Sarisma Tamang and Sargam Adhikari contributed to the medal tally with bronze medals, each in intermediate kata and category, respectively.
Additionally, four participants from the Ohio Karate Club showcased their prowess in the National Games, with Kinjal Dulal winning a bronze medal in Advanced Kumite and Darshan Rai claiming a silver medal in Intermediate Kumite.
Also, Bishal Gurung from Maryland and Tula Dhakal from Ohio represented Druk Shito Kai as officials. Bishal Gurung was upgraded to National Judge, and Tula Dhakal was recognized as a National Referee.
The collective achievements of Druk Shito Kai in the US Open and Junior International Cup 2024 underscore their dedication, skill, and commitment to excellence, thereby bringing honor to the Bhutanese community and inspiring admiration among peers and supporters.
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