Thinley Namgay

The government has restricted sporting events, which involve maximum physical contacts since last month, but Bhutanese athletes are using every possible means to stay in touch with what they like the most.

A 21- year-old senior national taekwondo athlete, Tenzin Dorji, said that he never compromises on his regular training even with the restrictions. “From Monday to Friday, I follow the same routine starting with jogging at 6am. My afternoon session is from 1pm to 3:30pm. At evening I again go for jogging.”

“So far the Covid-19 has not hampered any important national tournaments. But the Olympic qualifying match in Jordan has been postponed to June. It was supposed to take place from April 5 to 7. The date was not confirmed, but I keep practising,” said Tenzin Dorji.

Tashi Wangdi, an elite boxer with the Bhutan Boxing Federation (BBF) also practises at home despite the Covid-19 apprehension.

“In the morning, I practise for one an hour with my friends at the Royal Bhutan Army Camp at Lungtenphu by maintaining social distance. Other times we practise at home,” said Tashi Wangdi. He said that his aspiration to participate in international platforms keeps him going.

The Thailand open boxing competition which was supposed to start on April 1 was postponed.

Recently, Tashi Wangdi competed in the ‘Asia Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament’ held in Amman, Jordan. However, he was defeated by Thailand’s Thitisan Panmod in the 52kg flyweight category.

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