Tandin Wangchuk, a graduate of SEISA Dohto University and a former recipient of the SEISA–BOC Sports Scholarship, won a bronze medal in the men’s 73kg category at the "Nepal Open Judo Championship 2025", a prestigious event featuring top athletes from across South Asia. Now retired from competitive judo and working as a coach, this tournament marked Tandin's return to the tatami and a valuable opportunity to reflect on his own judo journey.
After retiring from Bhutan Olympic Committee’s elite athlete support and training program “BEAST,” Tandin devoted himself to nurturing young talent. He currently co-runs the "Tri Force Judo Club" with fellow alumni, striving to create a supportive environment for the next generation of judoka. Despite his focus on coaching, Tandin chose to participate in the Nepal Open to challenge his personal limits and experience the current state of international judo firsthand. He endured a demanding 10kg weight cut and a grueling 32-hour overland journey, training intensively with close friends Gawang Namgyel, Kinley Tshering, and Bikash Tamang to refine both technique and strategy.
Match Highlights:
- First Round: Victory by ippon with his signature uchi-mata against a Nepal Army Judo Club athlete
- Second Round: Another ippon win against a Nepalese opponent
- Semifinal: A fierce 8-minute match, including golden score, narrowly lost by waza-ari to Kiran, a South Asian Games medalist from Nepal
- Repechage: Defeated an experienced Dutch competitor, a former European Championship contender, with a pin for ippon within the first minute
- Bronze Medal Match: Clinched victory with a strategic hold-down against another Nepal Army judoka
Through intense matches with athletes of diverse international styles, Tandin rediscovered the depth and strategic nature of judo. He shared, “What made me happiest was that the ‘judo of the soul,’ rooted in Japanese tradition, was appreciated by the people of Nepal. Judo is not just about winning and losing—it fosters perseverance and strategic thinking. I want to pass on everything I learned here to the next generation.”
This journey reaffirmed that judo is a sport that transcends borders and connects people. Tandin expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thanks to Nepal Judo and its supporters, Bhutan Judo continues to grow.”
