Junior National Judo Championship in Bhubaneswar

Capital city Bhubaneswar will be hosting the Junior National Judo Championship, under the aegis of Judo Federation of India, at KIIT University campus from September 29 to October 4, Orissa State Judo Association (OSJA) announced today. According to OSJA president Priyabrat Patnaik, around 750 judokas from 32 States, Union Territories and ITBP are expected to vie for medals in two age categories, comprising 14 to 17 years and 17 to 20 years for both boys and girls. Each age category would feature competition in 11 weight classes. In a new trend, the medals of the week-long championship would feature the photo of former OSJA secretary Biranchi Das, who was shot dead last year. ‘‘The JFI has given permission for use of the photo. His photo would also appear on certificates, identity cards and T-shirts,’’ said Gitanjali Panda, the current OSJA secretay and wife of Biranchi Das. A budget of Rs 22 lakhs has been estimated for the successful conduct of the ensuing championship.