SHILLONG: The Under-19 District Level Judo Championship, organised by the East Khasi Hills District Sports Officer (DSO) in collaboration with the Meghalaya Judo Association (MJA) began at the Indoor Sports Hall at the JN Sports Complex, Polo, on Saturday.
The two-day tournament was opened by chief guest Teilinia S Thangkhiew, KHADC Chairperson, and nine rounds of league bouts were completed on the first day.
More than 70 judokas (male and female) are taking part in eight weight categories.
Around 160 came forward for screening of weight and overall preparedness.
The idea behind being selective in allowing only certain judokas to participate was, in the words of the organisers, to give others the chance to take part in the upcoming 7th Khasi Hills Inter School tournament.
Thangkhiew, in her address said that victory and success in life will only come when athletes are mentally strong to win and to achieve.
She also said that judo demonstrates the competitive element that plays an important role in inspiring people to give, deliver and lead others into other activities and to excel in life through sports.
George E Lyngdoh, the East Khasi Hills DSO, and Larry P Warjri, MJA president, also expressed their happiness at the response of the judokas of the district in coming out for this tournament, which will also act as preparation for the State Level Judo Championship and Youth National & Junior National Judo Championship, which will be held in Shillong in December.
The U-19 competition is being conducted under the supervision of Amit Vishwakarma and Dipak Mallick, both judo coaches, are leading the technical team as Competition Director and Assistant Competition Director, respectively, along with 10 other technical officials.