Taekwondo team heading to China

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 28: Five players from Little Bud School and eight from Gongbu Taekwondo Dojang will compete in the Asian Taekwondo Invitational Tournament and the 10th Man San Taekwondo Open Championship, both to be held in Nanjing, China.

From Little Bud, Inaya Maharjan will compete in the U-6 women's single poomsae, Aven Thapa in the U-8 men's single poomsae, RV Gyawali in the women's, Ayam Poudel in the U-10 men's single poomsae, and Yatna Timilsina in the women's.

From Gongabu, Sohan Pathak will compete in the men's 26 kg category, Hridiyani Basnet in the women's 30 kg category, and Jolina Basnet in the women's 36 kg category. Maira Karki will compete in the U-8 women's single poomsae, Shreyan Karki and Saksham Shrestha in the U-12 men's single poomsae, Ashriya Upadhyaya in the U-14 women's single poomsae, and Eugene Tamang in the U-18 men's single poomsae.

Saroj Tamang is the coach for both Little Bud and Gongbu. Along with Saroj, coach Bikesh Bidari and international referee Asmita Khadka will travel to China to serve as judges in the competition.

The team was bid farewell by Kumar Lama Ghising, newly appointed member of the National Sports Council (NSC); Kabiraj Negi Lama, member of the Nepal Taekwondo Association; and Bikram Khadgi, President of the Kathmandu District Taekwondo Association, during a programme on Saturday.

On the occasion, Ghising was honoured by Gongbu and Goldhunga Taekwondo Dojang for his appointment as an NSC member. The team will depart for China on Tuesday to compete in the event, which will be held from December 31 to January 3.