Shillong, July 21: Fresh from their superlative success at the 10th Cadet, Junior, U-21 and Senior South Asian Karate Championship 2026, gold medallist Daniel Dabiangbha Warjri and bronze medallist Gideon Tympuin were welcomed home by the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association (AMKA), friends and well-wishers at Umroi Airport today.
Daniel was first in the Boys’ Junior Individual Kumite (-68kg) category, while Gideon took bronze in the Men’s U-21 Individual Kata event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the 15-19 July championship and they are now hungry for further success at next year’s 39th National Games, which Meghalaya is scheduled to host.
The two were felicitated on arrival by senior members of AMKA and warmly embraced by their proud family members. Extra special was the presence of East Shillong MLA and Adviser to the Meghalaya Government, M Ampareen Lyngdoh, and former MDC Fantin Lakadong, who came to the airport to greet the conquering heroes. Serendipitously, Working President of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, John F Kharshiing, was on the same flight back from Kolkata with the pair.
This is the third year in which Meghalayans have won medals at this particular event; in 2025 Kynjailin Lyngdoh Mawnai earned a bronze and in 2019 Wandahunshisha Mawblei won gold.
“This is such a happy day for us,” AMKA General Secretary Ksan Kupar Warjri said. “The success of these two will give further motivation to our other karatekas, who are preparing for the 39th National Games.”The competition in the South Asian Championship is strong, Warjri added. While India is the top country, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal also win plenty of medals, including at the pan-Asian level.
