New Jersey, NJ - The 7th Annual International Yudh Gatka Tournament held in Carteret New Jersey flared an unbelievable amount of spectators, as well as players from across the world. Top players from each resepctive region were selected by their cities to compete in the tournament which was held on August 29th at 12 pm and went all the way to 8 O'clock.
Hosting players from areas such as Vancouver, Calgary, Indiana, New Jersey, Fremont, Selma, Yuba City, India, New York, Toronto and Maryland DC, the tournament truly upheld its title as 'International.'
Many people who may have not seen the style in which Gatka is played and ask what it is and how it is played, wish to know more about it. Gatka is martial art which focuses more on the concept of sword play and certain strikes which deliever a peticular amount of points. During a 2-3 minute match, the player which can accumalate the most points takes the match. Though this may sound like a very physical game, a mental strategy must be made to adapt to each players affixed style.
"The tournament is a great way for the community to get together, and particulary for anyone who enjoys seeing true athletic and diverse talent at work " said Jasdev Singh, the main organizer of the the event.
The tournament lasted half the day, rearing an increasing crowd each hour. These crowds consisted of competitors parents, family and friends which came out and were very pleased with the organization of the tournament and enjoyed the entire program. The competition held three different types of categories which then had there own seperate age groups. The competition hosted kirpan spinning, chakkar and fari soti which each had a 18 and older division, and also a 17 and younger.
"It was nice to see that equality came into play in the competition as well. Girls had the opportunity to compete, and many of them won their share of prizes." The aim of each contest was to perform the task with agility, speed , good will and show respect to each other showing a humble sense of mind.
When asked what he thinks about the tournament, Ajinder Singh, age 18 replies " This is a program I have attended for 7 years and this was another to shock me in the turnout with sangat. God had truly placed his hand on the singhs in that the weather forecast had predicted a sevre storm and yet there was not a drizzle of rain during the tournament, only before and after. "
When we were asking Gurvinder Singh, a first timer, age 22 he said, " I have heard about how many people come to this event and I wanted to see for myslef first hand, and what I saw was extrodinary. I couldn't believe how many people had come out for this and then that is when I began to relize that this is the only international tournament that has happened consistingly for 7 years, and that these singhs and singhnis are truly dedicated people, to give players across the world a chance to test themselves and meet other sangat.
The organizers of the Yudh Gatka tournament thank the community for supporting this event are proud to announce the winners of the multi-staged and highly intensive duals.
The following is a list of the winners in the International Yudh Gatka Tournament:
Singhs Soti Competition
Open (18 and over)
1st- Sukhjinder Singh, Khalsa School BC
2nd- Amritpal Singh, California Gatka Dal
3rd- Jagmeet Singh, California Gatka Dal
Under (17 and under)
1st- Jasdeep Singh, Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Akhara Toronto
2nd-Charnjeet Singh , Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Akhara Toronto
Kaurs Soti Competition
Open
1st- Kirandeep Kaur, Baba Ajit Singh Gatka Akhara
2nd- Puneet Kaur, California Gatka Dal
Under
1st- Gursharanjeet Kaur, Baba Ajit Singh Gatka Akhara
2nd- Japji Kaur, DC Gatka Dal
Singh's Chakar Competition
Open
1st- Amritpal Singh, California Gatka Dal
2nd- Dr. Onkar Singh, Mohali, India
Under
1st- Manpreet Singh, DC Gatka Dal
2nd- Charnjeet Singh , Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Akhara Toronto
Kaur's Kirpan Competition
Open
1st- Puneet Kaur, California Gatka Dal
2nd- Kirandeep Kaur, Baba Ajit Singh Gatka Akhara
Under
1st- Japji Kaur, DC Gatka Dal
2nd- Ramneek Kaur, DC Gatka Dal
Referees
Giani Jagbir Singh , New Jersey USA
Bhai Raj Singh, California USA
Bhai Sunmit Singh, Maryland DC USA
Judges
Bhai Jagbir Singh, New Jersey USA
Bhai Jaswinder Singh, California USA
Dr. Onkar Singh , Punjab INDIA
Score/time Keepers
Bibi Sapandip Kaur, Toronto Canada
Bibi Perminder Kaur, Toronto Canada
Dr. Onkar Singh is a very good Gatka player!
I am happy to see him attend this US event.
Gur fateh, is there any video taken on this event . Pls do let me know which website. thank you