Karateka Mukunda makes gold hat-trick in National Games

Published On: December 27, 2016 09:08 AM NPT By: AJAY PHUYAL


BIRATNAGAR, Dec 27: Karateka Mukunda Maharjan made a hat-trick of gold medals in the National Games on Monday as his team Armed Police Force (APF) maintained its domination in the martial arts games.

APF bagged highest eight out of 17 karate golds as three departmental teams made clean sweep of medals in the event. Tribhuvan Army Club won five golds and Nepal Police Club was decorated with four.   

 Mukunda, who competed in men’s 67 kg, had earlier claimed gold medals in the fifth edition of the Games in Kathmandu in 2008 and the sixth edition in Far Western Region in 2012.  On Sunday, Parshu Ram Bastola of the same departmental team had achieved such rare feat in karate kata. 

On Monday, Mukunda edged past Md Seikh Alam of Far Western Region 5-3 in tatame. Earlier, Mukunda had overcome Bishal Paudel of Central Region in the semifinal. Bhupendra Khadka of Police was the other player to have his share in bronze along with Bishal.

“It is a big achievement to make hat-trick of golds at the National Games in a country like Nepal which does not hold it regularly,” Mukunda said. “I think I am prized for my hard work since a long time. I thank my colleagues at APF, coach and the department for the feat. It is not easy to remain on top for eight long years in sports.”

APF on Monday added six gold medals to its overnight tally of two golds. Along with Mukunda, Anu Adhikari, Kalpana Basnet, Sapana Lama, Manisha Chaudhary and Bijay Lama added gold on Monday for APF.

In the women’s 50 kg final, Anu overcame Misli Shrestha of Army 5-3 for gold. Muskan Shah of Mid Western Region, who lost to Anu, and Jeena Subba of Eastern Region settled for bronze medals. 

Women’s above 68 kg category saw Rita Karki of Army going down 7-1 against Kalpana. Semifinalists Rojina Ranjit and Manisha Moktan walked home with bronze medals. 

In the women’s 61 kg final, Sapana achieved gold defeating Sunita Maharjan of Police 3-1. Anu Gurung of Western Region and Pratikshya BC of Mid Western Region were limited to bronze medals. Manisha secured top finish in 55 kg section with a hard fought 9-8 win over Ramita Thapa of Eastern Region. Malika Thapa of Police and Puja Darnal of Western Region satisfied with bronze medals. 

In the men’s event, only Bijay Lama of APF besides Mukunda bagged gold. BIjay overcame Nawaraj Shrestha of Central Region 5-3 in the summit clash. Sonam Lama of Police and Aakash Pal of Far Western Region earned bronze.

Police karatakes Sonam Lama, Rabindra Karki and Diwal Shrestha bagged gold. Sonam Overcame Rajib Pudasaini on the basis of superiority following 12-12 tie. Ganesh BK of Far Western Region and Laxman Tamang of APF settled for bronze. Rabindra overcame Mohan Karki of APF 8-4 for men’s 60 kg gold. Raj Kumar Rasaili and Prakash Gharti Magar of Central Region stood joint third.  

Meanwhile, Diwas eased past Sunil Gharti Magar of Western Region 8-0 for gold in men’s U-84 kg section. Bhim Bahadur Tamang of APF and Ishwar Majhi of Eastern Region satisfied with bronze medals. 

Bibhusha Thapa claimed women’s 68 kg gold and Subash Ghatane men’s 75 kg gold for Army which added two golds to its overnight tally. Bibhusha recorded a comfortable 4-0 win over Anupama Magar of Police who had represented Nepal in the Asian Games. Mingdona Rai of Eastern Region and Puja Khanal of Central Region secured joint third places. 

Subash meanwhile, overcame Ganga Ram Kusawar of Police on the basis of superiority following 9-9 tie to secure top finish. Santa Rai of Eastern Region and Bir Bahadur Raneni of APF settled for bronze medals.


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