JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir clinched the overall trophy at the two-day 4th Golden Bharat Karate Cup, organized by the All India Karate Federation (AIKF) and International Karate Federation India at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
The J&K medal tally included 13 medals, including two gold and six silver, across various weight and age categories in both Kata and Kumite events.
Kartik Verma won gold in Kumite and bronze in Kata in the 24 kg weight category. Other medal winners included Sejal (48 kg: silver and bronze), Veshnavi (28 kg: bronze), Maqsood Hussain (J&K Police player, 84 kg: silver and bronze), Trisha Malgotra (32 kg: two silver, one bronze), Arnav Yadav (silver and bronze), and Pranav (silver and bronze).
J&K also won gold in the newly introduced 55-plus age category Master Kata, which was introduced for the first time in the 4th Golden Bharat Cup. Sanjeev Dewan from Jammu and Kashmir became the first-ever person to win gold in this event.
The team was accompanied by Ram Lal of Dilkhush Knight Club Institute, Nagrota (Usman Darbar Army Cant). Four additional awards were conferred: Shri Bidhi Kumar, Vrido Inspector General Police Kashmir Zone, was awarded as Guest of Honour; J&K Police player award went to Maqsood Hussain (JKP).
A total of 18 States and Union Territories, along with affiliated clubs from across the country, participated in the championship. The event was officiated by the Chief Instructor of RGKFI, 6th Degree Black Belt Goju-Ryu AIKF, and Founder Member of AKAJK.