Nepal provided their first-ever Paralympic medallist a hero’s welcome Wednesday as supporting groups ended up for taekwondo celebrity Palesha Goverdhan’s return home.
Goverdhan, 21, took bronze at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, the initial Games platform area in background for the Himalayan country that have additionally never ever won a medal at the Olympics.
“I am filled with immense pride for having achieved this victory for our beloved nation,” Goverdhan stated on social networks in advance of her go back to Kathmandu.
“The countless hours of hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and the feeling is simply overwhelming.”
Traditional songs and the military band played as Goverdhan arised to loud joys at Kathmandu’s airport terminal, curtained in the nationwide flag, marigold garlands and standard Buddhist headscarfs.
Many young taekwondo professional athletes were amongst hundreds collected to invite back Goverdhan, that beamed a broad smile and stood up her medal.
“I am very happy, very inspired and proud for the country,” stated 13-year-old taekwondo professional athlete Nandani Adhikari, that was amongst the groups at the airport terminal.
“Her victory feels like our own,” she included.
Goverdhan, that is examining building design in China, won bronze in the ladies’s K44-57kg para taekwondo classification when she defeated Serbia’s Marija Micev 15-8.
Born with a hereditary arm or leg shortage on her left hand, Goverdhan occupied fighting styles at college when she was ten years old.
– ‘So pleased’ –
Her dad Pradeep Goverdhan stated her instructor detected her ability and recommended she educate expertly.
“She has made us so proud. As parents, you are worried when your child is born with a deficiency like that. But we always encouraged her,” he stated.
“As a child, she was always very determined, worked hard and achieved anything if her heart was set on it.”
Sugam Bhattarai, from Nepal’s National Federation of the Disabled, stated he really hoped the success would certainly assist various other professional athletes attain their objectives.
“Her achievement has not only brought glory to Nepal, but has also shined a spotlight on the potential of para athletes in a country where para sports have often been underfunded and overlooked,” he stated.
“I hope it will encourage investment in para sports. It is the same national flag, no matter who raises it,” he stated.
Goverdhan completed fifth at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and stated in meetings prior to Paris that was “aiming for gold”.
In 2022, Goverdhan came to be the initial Nepali professional athlete to win a medal at the Asian Para Games with a bronze. A year prior to she had actually won gold at the Asian Youth Para Games.
She additionally won the bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Para Taekwondo Championship in Vietnam.
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