Shivani bags title of 17th J&K State Sport Climbing C’ship

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 17: Shivani Charak, an international climber, won the Junior Girls title of the 17th J&K State Sport Climbing Championship which started today at Sprawling Buds ICSE School, Luxmi Puram, here.
Two new climbers Naina Raina of Shastri Memorial Higher Secondary School, Patoli, Jammu and Divya Bhat of St. Xavier Convent Senior Secondary School, Barnai, Jammu clinched the second and third positions resepctively.
In the sub Junior Girls category in which 21 climbers participated, Asma Gul of Sprawling Buds ICSE School, Jammu surpassed Samiksha Manhas of K C Gurukul, Jammu and Zuffi Shan to secure the first place. Samiksha and Zuffi bagged the second and third spots respectively. In the men’ s category the results were on expected lines with Aman Dogra, Hardev Singh and Anil Kumar securing the first three positions.
In the Junior Boys category Arun Deep, a national speed climbing champion, Mrityunjay Sharma, a national medallist and Ajay Deep Singh led a group of 9 climbers to reach the final round.
Similarly, Manav and Dhruv Salotra of Amba Kids Home, Panthal (distt Reasi), Zaheen Aalam and Jahangir Khan of Anantnag were among the 12 climbers who reached the final round in the Sub Junior Boys category.
Competitions in other categories in lead climbing were in progress. Speed climbing competitions for all the categories shall be conducted tomorrow.
Earlier, the championship was declared open by Ashok Khajuria, MLC in the presence of Ashwani Sharma, ex MLA, S. Bhattacharjee, Chairman, Indian Mountaineering Foundation, North Zone Committee; Prof. Lalit Magotra, an eminent writer and a scientist, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Joint Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, Zorawar Singh Jamwal, Secretary General, Press Club, Jammu and Chairman Team Jammu; Prem Sadotra, General Secretary, J&K High Court, Bar Association, Jammu and office bearers of Mountaineering Association of J&K.
While addressing the gathering, the chief guest,  Ashok Khajuria offered liberal financial assistance to Mountaineering Association of J&K for the promotion of adventure activities in the State.