Thinley Namgay

After Bhutan’s last athlete lost in the karate contest on October 7, team Bhutan comprising 26 athletes in 10 sports returned home from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China without a medal.
Karateka Rinchen Jamtsho lost 0-8 to Fahed Alajmi of Kuwait in the men’s kumite -67 kg round.
In the same category, Rinchen also lost to Bayry Bayryyev of Turkmenistan 0-8 during the repechage match. Fahed Alajmi of Kuwait remained an undefeatable karateka in the men’s kumite -67 kg round. He bagged a gold medal after defeating Almasatfa of Jordan in the final.
Rinchen’s second opponent, Bayry Bayryyev of Turkmenistan won bronze after a 7-2 win against Mahdi of Iran.
The 19th Asian Games which commenced on October 23 ended yesterday.
The Asian Games provided a platform for the team Bhutan to reflect on their level of training and gain game exposure.
Bhutan’s best performance at this Asian Games was in the compound archery team game. The compound archery team played in the quarterfinal against India.
The host country China topped the medal tally with 383 medals, comprising 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze. Japan stood second with 188 medals: 52 gold, 67 silver and 69 bronze. South Korea is third with 190 medals: 42 gold, 59 silver, and 89 bronze.
From the SAARC region, Bhutan and the Maldives couldn’t acquire medals. India got 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze totalling 107 medals. India stood fourth in the medal tally.
Sri Lanka won a gold, two silver and two bronze, Pakistan got a silver and two bronze, and Nepal fetched a silver and a bronze. Bangladesh earned two bronze medals, and Afghanistan acquired a silver and four bronze medals.