SMVDSC athletes strike gold in Judo, sweep top two positions in Kashmir marathon

Athletes trained at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex (SMVDSC) have brought laurels to the institution through their outstanding performances in athletics and judo, showcasing their exceptional talent, determination and competitive spirit at prestigious sporting events.

In a remarkable performance at the Kashmir Marathon held on October 25, two athletes trained at SMVDSC swept the top two positions in the 21-km (Half Marathon) category. Kriti clinched the first position, completing the race in an impressive time of 1 hour, 37 minutes and 1 second (1:37:01), while Sakshi secured the second position with timing of 1 hour, 39 minutes and 41 seconds (1:39:41). Notably, both athletes recorded their respective personal best timings, marking a significant milestone in their sporting careers.

Adding another feather to the Shrine Board’s cap, Monik Thakur clinched the Gold Medal by securing the first position in the Under-17 Boys’ Judo category at the School State-Level Championship held in Srinagar. In recognition of his commendable performance, he has also been selected to represent Jammu & Kashmir at the forthcoming School National Judo Championship.

Recognizing their remarkable accomplishments, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, felicitated Kriti, Sakshi and Monik Thakur today and congratulated them on their outstanding achievements. He appreciated their dedication, hard work and commitment to sporting excellence and encouraged them to continue striving for greater accomplishments at national and international levels.

Notably, under the chairmanship of the Lt. Governor, JK-UT, Manoj Sinha, the Shrine Board has been making sustained efforts to promote sports and nurture young talent across the region. The SMVD Sports Complex is presently providing training and requisite facilities to over 150 aspiring athletes across various sporting disciplines. The athletes trained at the Complex have consistently demonstrated their potential through commendable performances at national and international sporting events. These achievements reflect the positive outcomes of the Shrine Board’s sustained initiatives to promote sporting excellence and serve as an inspiration for aspiring sportspersons to pursue their sporting ambitions with dedication and determination.

Among those present on the occasion were Alok Kumar Maurya, Addl. CEO, Satish Kumar Sharma, Jt. CEO; Pawan Kumar Sharma, FA/ CAO, Dhruv Gupta, Asstt. CEO; coaches, sportspersons and other Shrine Board officials.