KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 30 At just 28, retired Nepal Army corporal Kishor Jabegu is quickly becoming one of the most compelling figures in Nepal's adventure sports community. Fresh off a daring bungee jump in western Nepal - a leap from what is considered the world's second-highest bungee site in Kusma, Parbat - Jabegu is pushing boundaries that few dare to approach. 'After successful mountaineering, canyoning, para jumping and rafting, I have just returned from Kusma after completing one of the scariest bungee jumps of my life,' Jabegu said, his voice steady but proud. 'Every challenge teaches me something new.'

Born in 1997 in Panchthar district, Jabegu's rise has been anything but ordinary. In a historic feat, he became the first Aikido Dojo and Gurkhali Khukuri Martial Arts player to successfully scale Mt Everest, earning his place in Nepal's adventure record books. His 2023 Everest ascent came as part of the Nepal Army Cleaning and Climbing Expedition, a mission that combined mountaineering with environmental stewardship. 'It was a proud moment to be part of the Everest expedition,' he recalled. 'The cleaning campaign was equally meaningful - an effort to save our Himalayas.' For his efforts, the Nepal Army honoured him with the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Badge, a recognition that underscored both his skill and his service.

Jabegu served more than 10 years in the Nepal Army, most recently as Lance Corporal at the Shree Singh Nath Battalion (Commando). His colleagues remember him as a disciplined, sharp-minded soldier with unmatched survival instincts. 'He is mastered in surviving skill and an excellent adventurer,' fellow force members recounted. During his military career, he earned an impressive list of trainings: Military basic and commando training, tactical combat casualty care, high-altitude and mountain warfare training, anti-tank course (40/84), para basic training, mlitary operations in urban terrains and demolition training. He also added to his resume the ISTAR module - Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance - further demonstrating his multidimensional expertise.

Jabegu's passion for adventure didn't begin in the army; it started in the classrooms and playgrounds of Janapriya Higher Secondary School in Pokhara. 'Since childhood, I focused more on adventure activities,' he said, remembering the days when climbing trees and exploring hills laid the foundation for future exploits. His contributions were not limited to Nepal. Jabegu served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Abyei, the tense borderland between Sudan and South Sudan. For completing his mission with distinction, he was awarded the United Nations Medal in 2025, adding an international honour to his growing list of accolades. Outside the military, Jabegu also excelled in Japanese martial arts. The Colorado-based Aikido Nippon Kan (Ahan International) recognized him as a certified martial artist, awarding him the Third Kyu grade in 2019. It was an achievement that kept him disciplined, focused, and physically sharp even as he balanced military duties.

Having retired young, Jabegu credits the Nepal Army for shaping the adventurer he has become today. 'Nepal Army has given me ample opportunity to reach this height of success,' he said. His service was recognized through honors including the Sainik Sewa Padak and Paradesh Sewa Padak. From scaling Everest to leaping off one of the world's highest bungee platforms, from mastering martial arts to serving on UN peacekeeping missions, Kishor Jabegu represents a new generation of Nepali adventurers - versatile, fearless, and globally connected.

As he continues to push the limits of what is possible, Jabegu stands as an inspiration to youth across Nepal, proving that courage, discipline, and passion can propel an ordinary soldier into an extraordinary trailblazer.