Thinley Namgay
Trashigang’s Udzorong Gewog lifted the 2024 Druk Wangyel National Traditional Archery trophy beating Samdrupjongkhar’s Martshala Gewog at Changlimithang Archery Range in Thimphu yesterday.
It took Udzorong one and a half days to claim the title. In the best-of-three format, Udzorong won two sets of 25 points each straight.
In the first set on January 11, Udzorong won 25-18 and ended with an 8-4 lead in the second set.
Continuing the game yesterday, Martshala dominated the first few rounds, leading 23-9. However, the sudden team performance by Udzorong shocked both opponents and the spectators. In the next three rounds, Udzorong jumped their points from nine to 16, then to 24, and hit two kareys to seal the game.

The Druk Wangyel National Archery Tournament concluded yesterday with Udzorong Gewog, Trashigang winning the tournament by beating Martshala Gewog, Samdrupjongkhar in a final that spanned one and a half days. The tournament, organised by Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association, featured 58 teams from 50 gewogs across the country.
Udzorong’s Captain, Nado, said: “Winning this tournament is a great privilege for the team and the people of Trashigang who have been supporting us from the first day.”
“Particularly, the team wants to thank the core supporter Jigme Tenzin, the proprietor of Shambala Construction Private Limited, and Cheku Wangchuk, the team coordinator, for their generous support during this tournament,” he said.
Nado said that Udzorong had only a few players with prior tournament experience. “However, good teamwork helped the team achieve the title.”
The Druk Wangyel National Archery Tournament, the most reputed archery tournament in the country, was started in 2004 as a tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo for his visionary leadership and for securing the nation’s sovereignty during the 2003 war against insurgent groups.
Martshala’s Captain, Ugyen Dorji, said the team tried their best and was glad about the results. He said that more than winning or losing, the team could participate in this tournament, a tribute to the beloved Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
“The game is unpredictable, and we have to accept the results. The team wants to thank the people of Samdrupjongkhar for their support,” he said.
The winning team was awarded a cash prize of Nu 195,000 with atrophy, while the runner-up received Nu 169,000 with a trophy.
Four individual prizes were presented, each with a cash award of Nu 13,000.
Jangchuk Dorji from Kurtoe Gewog, who hit 38 kareys in 121 rounds was declared the Best Archer of the tournament and was given a cash prize of Nu 15,000.
The tournament, organised by the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association, featured 58 teams from 50 gewogs across the country.
The traditional archery competition, which began on November 4 last year, featured a unique twist—all archers represented their respective gewogs in a format designed to promote unity and foster local talent.