Camp trainees shine in state judo meet

Coaching camp helped judokas assert their supremacy in the Biranchi Das Memorial State Judo Championship at Bhanja Kala Mandap in Bhubaneswar today. Trained by Japanese coach Tomoya Kimoto, the campers bagged 25 out of a total of 44 titles in the different age and weight categories of the day-long meet. Over 250 judokas from across the state participated in the championship, which was organised by Orissa State Judo Association. Bhubaneswar finished second with six titles, one ahead of third-placed Puri, while Ganjam and Orissa Judo School (OJS) ended with four titles apiece. According to OSJA general secretary Gitanjali Panda, title winners in boys and girls under 12 and under 14 age groups qualified to represent the State in the sub-junior National championship to be held later this year. Judo Federation of India vice-president Priyabrat Patnaik and coach Tomoya Kimoto gave away the prizes at the closing function.