Nepal gave its first Paralympic medalist a hero’s welcome as cheering crowds cheered taekwondo athlete Palesha Goverdan on her return from Paris.
“I fulfilled my promise and introduced dwelling a medal. This achievement belongs not solely to me however to everybody.
It was the primary time the Himalayan nation, which has by no means received a medal on the Olympics, took the rostrum on the Paralympics.
Goverdan stated it had been a “lengthy wait” for Nepal to win a medal.
“This was regarded as unimaginable…I consider now younger kickboxers and different athletes can see that it’s attainable,” she stated.
Carrying the nationwide flag, a marigold garland and a standard Buddhist scarf, Goverdan appeared on the Kathmandu airport to loud cheers as conventional music and a army band performed.
Govildan, who studied development engineering in China, received the bronze medal within the girls’s K44-57 kg taekwondo competitors, defeating Maria Mitchev of Serbia 15-8.
Goverdhan, who was born with a congenital limb defect in his left hand, began studying martial arts at school on the age of 10.
Her father, Pradeep Goverdhan, stated her coach noticed her expertise and urged she pursue skilled coaching.
Sugam Bhattarai of the Nationwide Federation of Folks with Disabilities Nepal stated he hoped the win would assist others obtain their objectives.
“Her achievement not solely brings glory to Nepal, but additionally attracts consideration to the potential of para-athletes in a rustic the place para sports activities are sometimes underfunded and missed,” he stated.
“I hope this encourages funding in incapacity sport. It is the identical flag regardless of who raises it,” he stated.
Goverdan turned the primary Nepali athlete to win a medal on the Asian Para Video games by profitable a bronze medal in 2022.
She additionally received a bronze medal on the 2018 Asian Para Taekwondo Championships in Vietnam.
Goverdan completed fifth on the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and stated in an interview earlier than Paris that her objective was to “win the gold medal.”
“I’m extremely happy with this victory for our beloved nation,” Goverdan stated on social media.
“The sensation that numerous hours of laborious work and dedication has really paid off is just overwhelming.”
