Arika Gurung has made history by earning Nepal’s first medal at the Asian Senior Karate Championship. She secured silver in the women’s Kumite 68+ kg division. The 20th edition of the competition was held in Hangzhou, China, where Gurung advanced to the final after defeating opponents from the Philippines, Kazakhstan, and Thailand. However, a knee injury affected her play in the final. She could not score against Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Ngoan, losing 6-0.
After returning home, Arika gurung expressed her gratitude to her fans. She also acknowledges her opponent’s abilities. She stated that the the loss inspired her to work harder for future tournaments. “Although I aimed for the gold, the loss has inspired me to come back stronger,” Arika stated. Coach Kushal Shrestha stated that Arika’s performance was impressive despite her injuries. The coach applauded the historic victory to all Nepalese, highlighting the power of Nepal’s karate players.
Arika gurung and the Nepali team were warmly greeted at Tribhuvan International Airport. Tankalal Ghising, Member Secretary of the National Sports Council, members of the Nepal Karate Federation, and other sports groups congratulated the team on their victory. Ghising complimented Arika’s determination and emphasized the Council’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s karate athletes. This identifies karate as the foundation of the country’s athletic success.
This silver medal is the latest in many international accomplishments for Arika. She has competed in five international tournaments and constantly won medals, including gold in the World Shitoryu Karate Championship and the South Asian Karate Championship. Her remarkable feats continue to motivate future generations of Nepalese athletes.
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