Thus became Palesha a historic Olympian
Kathmandu: Nepali player Palesha Govardan has been happy for her success in holding high the country’s image through the Paralympics held recently in Paris. She is the first Nepali athlete to grab a medal at such an international mega sport.
Currently a student of architecture in China, Palesha had to prepare for the games even during the night. “I had to go to college day time, so I could not manage time to prepare for the competition. But, I could not resist doing practice till 10:00 pm, which ultimately landed me in the position that earned the national and international reputation,” she shared.
She had a debut in the national sports team since 2016. She was just 13 when she first participated in the world para taekwondo championship. Born at Bagbazar, Kathmandu in 2003, Palesha’s left hand has no palm or fingers. The defect was inborn. It was however no hindrance at all to forward her sports career.
She stood fifth in the Asian para taekwondo open championship held in South Korea in 2017. Similarly, she was seventh in the world para taekwondo championship held in the UK.
Palesha continued attending other international competitions that helped her burnish confidence, competence and agility. She secured the gold medal in the Asian youth para games in 2021.
Kaviraj Negi who is the main coach to Palesha since 2016 observed that Palesha’s achievement had elated him and the Paralympics fraternity. “It is her diligence and dedication that ensured the bronze medal this time,” he added.
Negi also vowed lifetime volunteering for development of sports.
He viewed if the government created an atmosphere for training and proper accommodation to the players, Nepal could secure more medals from para. He has been working as a para taekwondo instructor since 2015.
In the Paralympics held in Paris, Palesha had defeated her Serbian competitor in under-57kg women category of taekwondo K-44, thereby clinching the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, several associations and offices have begun celebrating Palesha’s achievement and honouring her.
