MARGAO GNB:
Young karate athletes from Goa delivered an impressive performance at the Indo–Sri Lanka Open Karate Championship 2026, held on October 3 and 4 at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium in Margao. Students trained under Sensei Sandesh Kolikar collectively secured an outstanding 17 medals — comprising 4 Gold, 4 Silver, and 9 Bronze — across the Kata and Kumite events.
The two-day championship featured competition among martial artists representing five Indian states alongside a contingent from Sri Lanka.
Leading the Gold medal tally for the Goan side was Ikaya Shirodkar of Mapusa Dojo, who claimed two Gold medals. Divija Khot (Mapusa Dojo) earned one Gold and one Bronze, while Lavanya Pednekar (Siolim Dojo) secured one Gold and one Silver to round off Goa’s golden performance.
The Silver medallists also put up strong displays. Aryan Shinde of Thivim Dojo won a Silver and a Bronze medal, a feat matched by both Aayansh Redkar and Reyaansh Naik of Assonora Dojo, who each bagged a Silver and a Bronze.
In the Bronze medal category, Aarav Puranik and Mahaj Vinayak Porob, both from Thivim Dojo, claimed two Bronze medals each. Shreyaan Bude, also representing Thivim Dojo, added another Bronze to complete the 17-medal haul.
The organizers and supporters congratulated the young athletes, their parents, and Sensei Sandesh Kolikar for their discipline, dedication, and commendable performance on an international stage.
