Imphal, Aug. 1: Judoka L. Shandhya Devi of Manipur bagged the Best Epon title in the 2nd Asian Youth Judo Championship held at Yemen, reports our sports correspondent from Imphal.
L. Shandhya, along with seven state judokas, formed part of the Indian team at the 2nd Asian Youth and 9th Asian Junior Judo Championship squad. Coach S. Ranbir Singh led the team in Yemen.
All the eight judokas from the state came back with a medal each and were feted by the Manipur Judo Association at Manipur Olympic Association conference hall yesterday.
India bagged 11 medals at the meet. L. Sandhya Devi bagged a gold in the 48-kg bout and was also conferred the Best Epon title. Th. Kalpana Devi won her gold in the 57-kg bout.
H. Ichal Devi in the 63-kg event, O. Bidyalaxmi Devi in the 45-kg category and H. Sunibala Devi in the 70-kg bout fetched a silver each, while Nk. Romen, Sushila Devi and Kh. Yaima Singh collected a bronze each.
The winners have been shortlisted for trials in the forthcoming World Junior Judo Championship to be held in Bangkok in October this year.
State open chess
Fourth seed S. Premjit Singh and fifth seed Sunachand Singh played all the right moves to share the lead with 4.5 points each in the 1st Khongang Pheidekpi State Open Chess Championship, reports our sports correspondent.
The fifth round saw several top players tumbling down the order with top-seeded player, Rk. Apollosana Singh, tasting defeat at the hands of fifth seed Th. Sunachand Singh.
Tenth-seeded A. Romeo Singh defeated second seed Rk. Bhogen Singh.
However, on a day of upsets, current leader S. Premjit Singh defeated Rk. Sudhirsana Singh to cling on to the top spot.
The fifth round saw 18 wins and three draws.
Three national players, Y. Dhanabir Singh, A. Romeo Singh and Kh. Bhubon Singh are in second spot with 4 points each.
Top-seeded Rk. Apollosana Singh and Rk. Sudhirsana Singh are in third spot with 3.5 points each.
Rk. Bhogen Singh, T. Manikanta Singh, Y. Dinsen Singh, N. Suresh Singh, T. Chittaranjan Singh, O. Ranjan Singh, L. Angousana Singh, W. Suraj Singh, K. Poireikhomba Singh, L. Satish Singh, Loken Luwang and O. Ningthem Singh have three points each. A. Robert Singh and L. Romicha have 2.5 points for the fifth spot and Th. Joychandra Singh, Th. Udoy Singh, Th. Digvijay Singh, L. Newton Singh, L. Romen Singh, S. Beni Singh, P. Charlie and Th. Neo are trailing with 2 points each.
