Four Sikkim martial artists in the national Wushu team

GANGTOK, 29 Nov: Four members of Sikkim Amateur Wushu Association [SAWA] have been selected in the Indian team for the upcoming 10th edition of International Wushu Championship scheduled to be held from 24 to 28 February next year in Hongkong.
The shortlisted players from Sikkim are SAWA coach, OS Singh in Sansau 70 kg, Aaron Gurung in Sansau 52 kg, Binita Rai in Sansau 48 kg and Lashimit Lepcha in Taulo [Dual]. Sikkim, with its four participants, has recorded the maximum number of participants in the 14-member Indian team.
Among the four, the coach has already taken part in the international event ten times as player, coach and judge, while the other three promising young martial artists have received the golden opportunity to participate in the international competition for the first time.
The selection camp for the national team was held in April earlier this year at Haridwar, in which the four martial artists, with their impressive performance got the chance to represent the country.
SAWA has received the letter of confirmation from the Indian Wushu Federation three days back.
These four martial artists will now leave to attend a two-month long coaching camp scheduled to be held at Manipur and then at Bhopal from 10 December under the Technical Chairman of the Indian Wushu Federation, M Birmani Singh. 
Speaking to media persons today, SAWA coach mentioned that he was selected in both coach and player categories in this international event but preferred to represent the country as a player.
He mentioned that at present India stands in the fifth position at the world junior rankings and fourth in the world senior rankings and this time the country is expected to improve its position by winning more medals.
Mr Singh informed that these three young martial artists have already performed well in the national and regional competitions and now they have the opportunity to better the chances for the country as well.
“In other parts of the country, Wushu started in 1987 but in Sikkim it started in 2005 but in a short span of time it has produced four international and many national players, which is a big achievement for the state,” said Mr Singh.
Sikkim has won 18 national medals and stands 3rd at the North-East level at present.
The Wushu coach expressed his gratitude to the Sports Minister, NK Pradhan and Sports Secretary, Karma P Bhutia along with the SAWA president, ADGP Sikkim Police, OH Subba and SAWA general secretary, Rupen Chamling, for their constant support and cooperation.