NEW YORK: New York Gatka Association clinched the overall trophy at the 2nd US National Gatka Championship at The Sikh Center of New York Inc. The event was organized by the Gatka Federation USA- an umbrella organization to manage, standardize, promote and popularize the Gatka-Sikh Martial Art in USA under the aegis of World Gatka Federation.Kansas Gatka Association finished runners-up while TX Gatka Association achieved third place.
This inaugural national event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 125 Singh and Kaur’s representing different State Gatka Associations and Akharas in the US. The competition was jointly organized by the Gatka Federations USA in association with the host state New York Gatka chapter- New York Gatka Association.
At the time of opening ceremony and prize distribution ceremony Kalvinder Singh Fresno, President Gatka Federation USA, Dr Deep Singh General Secretary World Gatka Federation (WGF), Himmat Singh Coordinator World Sikh Parliament (WSP), Rajinder Singh Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Society, Sarabjit Singh Sahni, Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Study circle, accompanied by Sarabjit Kaur Westchester County & S Daler Singh, President Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Center NY.
Officials from Gatka Federation USA congratulated all winners at 2nd US National Gatka Championship and thanked all volunteers for successfully organizing the national-level Gatka championship in New York. They emphasized the Federation’s commitment to promoting the Sikh martial art of Gatka and assured unwavering support for all State Gatka Associations, Akharas & Academies and players.
The final results of the 2nd US National Gatka Championship were as follows;
In Single Soti Individual Under- 21 men's event, Karansher Singh from PA Gatka Association stood first, Mandeep Singh and Sandeep Singh from Baba Deep Singh Gatka Akhara New York secured 2nd and 3rd positions. In the girl’s category, under 21 Gurbani Singh from NJ Gatka Association and Gurvinder Kaur from Kansas Gatka Association secured the 1st and 2nd positions respectively.
In the Single Soti under 17 Girls event Kulrajpreet Kaur from Kansas Gatka Association, KS, clinched first position and Ekampreet Singh from Connecticut Gatka Association secured 2nd position. while Bhagbir Singh NY Vanshdeep Singh Akal Gatka Gurmat Group NY and Armanjot Singh-Kansas secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. and Under-14 Girl’s Demonstration event, Gurkeerat Kaur Kansas, Harnidh Kaur NY and Seerat Kaur NY secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd places respectively whereas in the boy’s category, Teghveer Singh from TX, Dilraj Singh Ny and Gurnoor Singh NY secured 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
Besides these winners Harpreet Singh from Akal Gatka Gurmat Group, NY was picked as a Best Player in men’s category and Arshdeep Kaur from Guru Gobind Singh Academy NY in women’s category. Texas Gatka Association received Fair Play team Award in team category while Jashandeep Singh from Kansas Gatka Association received Fair Play Award in individual category. In Men’s individual category Jagjeet Singh from Elmira NY received Emerging Player award and Arshdeep Kaur from Guru Gobind Singh Academy, Gobind Sarvar NY in women’s category.
Judgement and Referee Council:
The judges and referees at the tournament were S. Janamjeet Singh Calgary (Center Referee) from Canada, Harbhajan Singh NC, Gurpreet Kaur TX, Bhai Gagandeep Singh AKJ, Sujan Singh, Keeratpal Singh NY, , Jaskeerat Singh, Jashandeep Singh, , Gurpreet Singh NY, Dr Harpreet Kaur as Commentator, Bhai Sarabjit Singh DDT and Bhai Dalbir Singh AKJ, Prabhdeep Singh and Harwinder singh Nihung also helped to manage the Referee and Judgement council.