JAMMU, NOV 11 :Securing a total of 20 points by winning one gold, four silver, and three bronze medals, formidable Delhi emerged champions of the 68th National School Games U-17 Boys Judo.

The Championship was organised by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir, under the auspices of School Games Federation of India (SGFI) at Indoor Sports Complex Bhagwati Nagar here.

Winning two gold and one silver medal and securing 13 points, Haryana remained in the second spot, while the third place went to Punjab winning one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal to secure a total of nine points.

Jammu and Kashmir stood at 12th spot out of a total of 35 participating teams in the Championship, winning one silver medal which was claimed by Ridhum by producing a stellar performance.

Saiyam Choudhary of Chandigarh, who took part in the -50 kg category, was declared as the best Judokas of the Championship.

The Director General of Youth Services and Sports, Rajinder Singh Tara was the chief guest at the Medal Ceremony, along with Joint Director Youth Services and Sports Jammu, Ved Prakash, Deputy Director Youth Services and Sports, Jitendra Mishra, and a galaxy of District Youth Services and Sports Officers, presented medals to the winners and the technical and officiating panel of the Championship.

Describing the participating Judokas as the ambassadors of the nation, the Director General of Sports said that the sportspersons are the messengers of peace, harmony, and prosperity, adding mega events like this apart from promoting sports, also promotes tourism, besides helping youth not to derail from the mainstream.

He lavished praise on the participating team and the organizing team for showing the sporting spirit, thus making the event a grand success.

“Completion of U-17 Boys Judo Championship is just the beginning as three more Championships under SGFI will be hosted by J&K in the historic month-long series of tournaments including Fencing, Wushu, and Football apart from Judo,” said Tara.

Meanwhile, the observer from SGFI while appreciating the arrangements, rated the event as the best, he has observed in his entire tenure.

The 68th National School Games U-14 Boys and Girls Fencing Championship will commence at Gymnasium Hall University of Jammu Tuesday.

A total of 21 States/UTs will be participating in the Championship, out of which 18 have already reached Jammu.