A team of 12 players all from Vadodara representing India in the ‘2nd WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations) INDIAN OPEN INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXING CHAMPIONSHIP’ give their best performance and won 19 medals competing with players from four different countries. The competition was held in Delhi from 2nd – 6th November 2022.
More than 500 players from India, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and Jordan participated in this championship. The team of 12 players from Gujarat showed their best performance and won medals for the country.
A total of 19 medals won by Gujarat State consists of – 2 Gold, 6 Silver, and 11 Bronze. Jayendra Kothi, General Secretary of the Kickboxing Association, Gujarat was appointed as the state team coach. All players received a warm welcome on reaching Vadodara.
“It was a tough competition and all the players showed their best performance in their respective events. The host country India was overwhelmed to get this kind of exposure where the Indian Fighters compete with International Athletes and learned the trick of the trade at the same time. It was a flash event with all the emotions and gave a positive mark to each and every athlete. It’s a very proud moment for Gujarat as the results show huge potential in Gujarat in combat sports, especially kickboxing. The players can qualify for the Olympic Games in the future. This event will be a benchmark for the kickboxing fraternity in India,” said Siddharth Bhaleghare, President of, the Kickboxing Association, Gujarat.
Manasvi Saluja won Gold and Silver, Pavni Dayal Gold, Akash Chavan Silver and Bronze, Shekhar Kale Silver and Bronze, Nij Meher Silver and Bronze, Diya Kothi Silver and Bronze, Aryan Thakor Silver and two Bronze, Devansh Kadakia Bronze, Omkar Bhaleghare two Bronze and Dhir Shah won two Bronze playing in different categories.
–An article by Vaibhavi Trivedi
