Dipu Chakma wins gold in Taekwondo
Bangladesh secured two medals from Karate on the opening day as Humaira Akhter and Hasan Khan won bronze.
Dipu Chakma won the first gold medal for Bangladesh in taekwondo in the ongoing 13th South Asian Games (SA Games) in Nepal on Monday.
Dipu beat the athletes from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Nepal in poomsae 29+ age group category in taekwondo to secure the first gold for Bangladesh at Satdobato Sports Complex.
The Rangamati-born athlete scored 16.24 points in the event. Sri Lanka's Lakshman IIandarige won silver with 8.22 points to his name while India's Gangphung Gangsa won the bronze with 8.14 points.
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Dipu has won 5 golds and a single silver medal in his event at various local and regional meets. But this is his first international gold. For obvious reasons, Dipu was ecstatic.
"I am representing my country here. And I am immensely proud that I have won a medal for my country. I am at a loss for words. Cannot express my feelings." said an overwhelmed Dipu.
A member of the Bangladesh Army, Dipu Chakma started playing Taekwondo in 2001. But, professionally he started participating in 2008. Dipu trained under South Korean coach Min Hak Se, prior to the SA Games.
"I have never won a gold medal at an international event. I am very proud of this achievement. I prepared well this time and my target was to win a medal." added Dipu.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the first medal when Humaira Akter won Bronze in the Women's Single Kata event in Karate. In that event, Pakistan won the Gold and Nepal secured Silver. Hasan Khan won the bronze in the same category in the men's division.
