Bhubaneswar: Odisha girls, Anupama Swain and Priyadarshini Ghatuary will take part in the Thailand Open World Ranking Ju-Jitsu championships June 7-10 at Bangkok, their coach Hari Patnaik announced Tuesday in a press meet at the Utkal Karate School here. They will depart Wednesday morning. They are first among Odiya martial artists to take part in a recognised world meet.
Anupama and Priyadarshini are part of the Indian team participating in the tourney. They will compete in the senior women’s 49kg category. Approximately 200 players from across the world are expected to take part in the four-day competition.
Anupama and Priyadarshini qualified for the event by virtue of their performances in the nationals last month. Anupama won a gold in the 55kg category while Priyadarshini bagged a silver in the 49kg segment. It should also be stated that Priyadarshini has qualified for the Asian Games by the virtue of her silver medal finish in the nationals.
“I’m excited as well as nervous. This is my first international tournament in ju-jitsu and I know that it’s going to be a tough. I will try to give my best and hope for a podium finish,” Anupama told reporters. “Expectations are obviously there but we (she and Priyadarshini) will give our 100 per cent,” Anupama asserted.
Anupama also added that she would like to forget the disappointment of not qualifying for the Asian Games by winning a medal at Bangkok.