Twelve strength lifters from Sikkim have been selected to represent the country in the eighth International Strength Lifting & Inclined Bench Press Championship 2020.
The championship will be held from February 13 to 17 next in Bangkok.
They have been shortlisted in the national team on the basis of their performance in the recently held 29th Senior and Master National Strength Lifting Championship 2019 from December 25 to 28 last year in Udaipur of Rajasthan.
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The selected strength lifters from Sikkim in the national team are Pema Dorjee Bhutia, Ram Dhoj Rai, Kishore Dungmali Rai, Santosh Gupta, Chandra Kumar Chettri, Bhim Raj Gurung, Homnath Siwakoti, Kalpana Chettri, Manisha Tewari, Madhu Mahal Majhi, Edu Tshering Bhutia and Pempa Tamang.
It is debut for Madhu Mahal Majhi, Chandra Kumar Chettri, Bhim Raj Gurung, Manisha Tewari, Kisohre Dungmali Rai and Ram Dhoj Rai in the international competition.
These strength lifters are the part of 67-member India team in this international championship.
In a small function held at White Hall complex in Gangtok on Thursday, Sikkim Strength Lifting Association (SSLA) executive members have expressed their best wishes to all selected lifters from the State in the national team by offering khadas.
In his address, SSLA general secretary Sonam Tshering Bhutia congratulated them for getting such a big opportunity to represent the country in the prestigious international level championship.
While expressed his best wishes to them, he stated that it was a proud moment for SSLA that Sikkimese strength lifters have been representing the country continuously in the international competitions.
Likewise, SSLA chief coach, Pema Dorjee Bhutia expressed that all lifters were in the high spirit and confidence to win medals and laurels for the State and the country in this international championship.
He thanked the SSLA for supporting and encouraging local lifters to take them in the national and international levels.
The State lifers are scheduled to leave on February 10 next to join the national team in Kolkata and then will fly for the championship on February 12 next.