The 69th National School Games kicked off with spectacular energy in Ludhiana, and the host state, Punjab, immediately stamped its authority on the competition. The home contingent delivered a stunning performance on the opening days, securing a remarkable haul of five gold medals in the Judo and Taekwondo events. This early dominance has set a high benchmark for the 37 other participating teams from states and Union territories.
Judo Arena: Punjab's Young Warriors Shine
Punjab's gold rush began emphatically in the Judo competitions for under-14 boys. In the fiercely contested under-30kg weight class, it was Shivam Sharma from Punjab who emerged victorious, claiming the top spot on the podium. The silver medal was secured by Lucky from Delhi, while the bronze medals were shared by Sagar from Uttar Pradesh and Aditya Joshi from Uttarakhand.
The success story continued in the under-35kg boys' category, where Mohit Kumar of Punjab fought his way to another gold. He defeated Vedant, representing the CBSE, who had to settle for silver. The bronze medals in this category were awarded to Chirag Patel from Delhi and Vicky from Rajasthan.
Punjab's judokas were not to be outdone in the girls' events. In the plus-44kg weight category, Seerat of Punjab showcased immense skill and strength to clinch the gold medal. Deepika Gujjar from Delhi won the silver, and the bronze medals were earned by Alisha Hassan from Jammu and Kashmir and Ruthija from Maharashtra.
Taekwondo Triumphs Add to the Tally
The dominance extended seamlessly to the Taekwondo mats. In the under-16 girls' category, Harshita of Punjab demonstrated superior technique and agility to win gold. She outperformed Jaishri from Tamil Nadu, who took home the silver medal. The bronze medals in this event went to Shikha of Uttar Pradesh and Swaranjali of Maharashtra.
Punjab's fifth and final gold medal of the reported events came from Yashika in the 18kg girls' Taekwondo category. The silver in this closely fought contest was won by Minakshi of Haryana. Kuncham from Andhra Pradesh and Divyanshu from Maharashtra both displayed great spirit to secure bronze medals for their respective teams.
The Stage is Set for Gatka and Future Battles
The tournament, organized by the Directorate of School Education under the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), features approximately 38 teams competing across three primary disciplines: Gatka, Judo, and Taekwondo. With the opening events concluding, all eyes are now on the upcoming Gatka competitions, where new champions will be crowned.
The games are scheduled to continue through January 11, promising more thrilling action and sporting excellence. Punjab's blistering start has undoubtedly raised the stakes, and the other teams will be eager to close the gap in the remaining days of this prestigious national sporting event.
