Munish Sood
MANDI: Himachal Pradesh has scripted a remarkable chapter in its sporting history with an outstanding performance at the National Senior Kickboxing Championship 2025, organised by the WAKO India Kickboxing Federation. The championship was held from July 16 to 21 at the Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur.
Out of 14 participating athletes from Himachal, nine returned with medals, including three gold, two silver and four bronze, a record-breaking achievement for the state in national-level kickboxing.
The team was guided by chief coach Hans Raj Sharma, with the technical support of coaches Arun Bhardwaj and Om Prakash Sharma. Their efforts were instrumental in the team’s exceptional performance under competitive pressure.
Gold medalists (qualified for World Championship 2025):
• Dikshit Hita (Shimla) – Women’s –65 kg (One Fight)
• Akhil Kumar – Men’s –89 kg (Light Contact)
• Sunesh – Men’s +94 kg (Point Fight)
These three athletes have also been selected to represent India at the upcoming World Senior Kickboxing Championship, a proud moment not only for Himachal but for the nation.
Silver medalists:
• Vijender Kumar – Men’s –84 kg (Point Fight)
• Harsh Bharti – Men’s 51 kg (Full Contact)
Bronze medalists:
• Sanika Latwan – Women’s –56 kg (Full Contact)
• Harsh Thakur – Men’s +96 kg (Kick Light Contact)
• Vansh Thakur – Men’s –54 kg (Light Contact)
• Sumit Janwal – Men’s –94 kg (Kick Light)
The leadership of the Himachal Pradesh Amateur Kickboxing Association has lauded this performance. Warm congratulations were extended by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Yadav, senior vice-president of WAKO India and recipient of the Parshuram Award, along with state association officials: Amit Pal (president), Tilak Raj Sharma (senior vice-president); Anil Kumar, Upendra Sharma (vice-presidents); Hans Raj Sharma (secretary); Major Shyam, Harish Laktu, Virendra Jagitha, Krishan Lal (general secretary, Mandi Kickboxing Association), and Vijay Kumar (Bilaspur).
Dr Sanjay Kumar Yadav further announced that a state-level felicitation ceremony will soon be organised in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to honour the medal-winning athletes for their exceptional achievements.
