EGN NEWS DESK
Nepal gave its first Paralympic medalist a hero’s welcome on Wednesday as cheering crowds turned out for taekwondo star Palesha Goverdhan’s return residence.
Goverdhan, 21, took bronze on the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, the primary Games podium place in historical past for the Himalayan nation, which has additionally by no means gained a medal on the Olympics.
“I saved my promise, I introduced a medal again residence. This achievement is not only for me, however for everybody,” Goverdhan mentioned in a speech after her arrival.
She mentioned it had been a “lengthy wait” for Nepal to win a medal.
“It was considered not possible. … I consider that now younger taekwondo gamers and different gamers can see it’s attainable,” she mentioned.
Traditional music and a military band performed as Goverdhan, draped within the nationwide flag, marigold garlands and conventional Buddhist scarves, emerged to loud cheers at Kathmandu’s airport.
Many younger taekwondo athletes have been amongst a whole bunch gathered to welcome again Goverdhan, who beamed a large smile and held up her medal.
“I’m very completely happy, very impressed and proud for the nation,” mentioned 13-year-old taekwondo athlete Nandani Adhikari, who was among the many crowds on the airport.
“Her victory looks like our personal,” she mentioned.
Goverdhan, who’s finding out architectural engineering in China, gained bronze within the girls’s K44-57kg para taekwondo class when she beat Serbia’s Marija Micev 15-8.
Born with a congenital limb deficiency on her left hand, Goverdhan took up martial arts at college when she was 10 years previous.
Her father, Pradeep Goverdhan, mentioned her coach noticed her expertise and urged she practice professionally.
“She has made us so proud. As mother and father, you’re fearful when your baby is born with a deficiency like that. But we all the time inspired her,” he mentioned.
“As a toddler, she was all the time very decided, labored arduous and achieved something if her coronary heart was set on it.”
Sugam Bhattarai, from Nepal’s National Federation of the Disabled, mentioned he hoped the victory would assist others obtain their targets.
“Her achievement has not solely introduced glory to Nepal however has additionally shined a highlight on the potential of para athletes in a rustic the place para sports activities have typically been underfunded and missed,” he mentioned.
“I hope it is going to encourage funding in para sports activities. It is identical nationwide flag, regardless of who raises it,” he mentioned.
Goverdhan grew to become the primary Nepali athlete to win a medal on the Asian Para Games with a bronze in 2022. She gained gold on the Asian Youth Para Games the yr earlier than.
She additionally gained the bronze medal within the 2018 Asian Para Taekwondo Championship in Vietnam.
Goverdhan completed fifth on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and mentioned in interviews earlier than Paris that she was “aiming for gold.”
“I’m stuffed with immense delight for having achieved this victory for our beloved nation,” Goverdhan mentioned on social media.
“The numerous hours of arduous work and dedication have actually paid off, and the sensation is just overwhelming.”
