The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Students from 20 dzongkhags broke grounds for the synthetic track located in the previous Yangchenphug football ground. 151 girls and 153 boys from high schools across the nation took part in the event.
Jamyang Tenzin of Lhuentse Higher Secondary School was the man of the hour (‘minutes’ in this case) who clocked an impressive 10 minutes 43 seconds to win gold in the men’s 3000 meters final race.
Jamyang said “It is like making history, winning in an event held in a sports venue internationally standardized”.
Karma Thinley stood second and 5 seconds behind the winner while a bare-footed Sangay Dorji Tamang of Dagana Lower secondary School followed third.
Karma Thinley, the ‘shortest participant’ said, “I aimed to come first but I lost my pace in the sixth lap as my foot suffered intense heat.”
“But I am satisfied with the bronze,” he said.
Naresh Ghalley who finished the 100 meter-dash in style with 11 seconds on the clockwas a crowd favorite .
Renuka Pradhan proved herself the quickest girl, with her 13.80 seconds-timing to-beat.
In the high jump, Bajo high school’s Bir Bdr. Tamang, Tshendu Dorji of Damphu and Pema Dorji of Zhemgang were the finest contenders as they glided through their qualifying rounds.
Seven events out of 13 were held the day-before and the remainder was held yesterday.
The finals will he held today and the medals and certificated will be given away to the participants and the winners.
Students expressed their excitement to participate in the first event held on the synthetic tracks.
“It will be good experience for all us participants since the track is built to international Olympics standards and specifications,” said Karsang Tenzin, a Motithang school student.
The Bhutan Amateur Athletic Federation provided the technical assistance for the competition event and it is funded by the Bhutan government, the BAAF, YDF and the BOC.
The winners and participants will be awarded certificates and medals on 15 July.
