Nepal gave its first Paralympic medallist a hero’s welcome as cheering crowds turned out for taekwondo participant Palesha Goverdhan’s return residence from Paris.
“I saved my promise, I introduced a medal again residence. This achievement is not only for me, however for everybody,” Goverdhan, 21, who gained bronze on the 2024 Paralympic Video games, stated in a speech after her arrival on Wednesday.
It was the primary podium end on the Paralympics for the Himalayan nation, which has by no means gained a medal on the Olympics.
Goverdhan stated it had been a “lengthy wait” for Nepal to win a medal.
“It was regarded as unattainable … I consider that now younger taekwondo gamers and different gamers can see it’s doable,” she stated.
Conventional 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.
Goverdhan, who’s finding out architectural engineering in China, gained bronze within the girls’s K44-57kg para taekwondo class, beating Serbia’s Marija Micev 15-8.
Born with a congenital limb deficiency on her left hand, Goverdhan took up martial arts in school when she was 10.
Her father Pradeep Goverdhan stated her coach noticed her expertise and instructed she practice professionally.
Sugam Bhattarai, from Nepal’s Nationwide Federation of the Disabled, stated he hoped the victory would assist others obtain their objectives.
“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 have usually been underfunded and ignored,” he stated.
“I hope it is going to encourage funding in para-sports. It’s the similar nationwide flag, irrespective of who raises it,” he stated.
Goverdhan turned the primary Nepali athlete to win a medal on the Asian Para Video games with a bronze in 2022. She gained gold on the Asian Youth Para Video games the 12 months earlier.
She additionally gained the bronze medal within the 2018 Asian Para Taekwondo Championship in Vietnam.
Goverdhan completed fifth on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Video games and stated in interviews earlier than Paris she was “aiming for gold”.
“I’m crammed with immense delight for having achieved this victory for our beloved nation,” Goverdhan stated on social media.
“The numerous hours of laborious work and dedication have really paid off, and the sensation is solely overwhelming.”
