Nineteen years old Tripura eve Asmita Dey shone bright and brought laurel in an international judo arena. Asmita secured third position in 48 kg category and lifted the Bronze in international judo tournament in Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championship held in Bangkok on Wednesday. There were as many as 163 competitors of 15 countries of whom 91 were male while 72 were female Judokas.
Asmita was a part of an 18-member Indian team comprising 9 men and 9 women that took part in the Asian Championship.
She beat Ngamluan Pimngam of Thailand to get the Bronze. Her Indian mate Huidrom Matouleibi Devi also won a Bronze medal in 52 kg category. Two other Indian players – Kumar Arun and Leishangthem Nungshithoi Chanu won Silver medals for India in 73 kg and 57 kg categories respectively.
Asmita happens to be first judoka from the state to have been selected for Indian team and then lifting a medal from an international championship.
The Championship started at Bangkok on July 20 and will end on Thursday. After the first day of the competition India secured the 5th position with 2 silvers and 2 bronze medals. Uzbekistan is leading with 3 Gold and 3 Bronze medals.
Student of Tripura Sports school Asmita had earlier won gold in the 48 kg category in the All-India Khelo India Judo competition for Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal University.. Asmita’s first guru in sports was Bina Debnath of Belonia Vidyapith Coaching Centre in South Tripura District followed by Judo coach Manik Lal Deb of Tripura Sports Schoo
