India win 8 medals in USA Open Karate Championship

New Delhi: India returned with a rich haul of eight medals, including two gold and six bronze, from the USA Open Karate Championship held at Las Vegas from April 18 to 21.

More than 3000 players from 15 countries participated in the event and India was represented by an eight-member team consisting of six players and two coaches. Karl Vatcha of Mumbai won one gold and one bronze medals while Toyesha Khatau of Mumbai bagged one gold and three bronze medals in the women's section.

Pranay Sharma of Delhi and Mumbai's Akash Samir Shah pocketed the other two bronze medals each in their respective categories for India. The team was led by Bharat Sharma as chief coach and Viraf Vatcha as coach.