KATHMANDU: Nepali players Aakash Mandal and Saroj Lama advanced to the men’s 45kg weight category semi-finals in the first IWF International Karate Championship here at the National Sports Council covered hall on Saturday. Similarly, Subin Sunuwar and Rajan Blon Tamang made it to the last four in men’s 40kg, while Aryaman Bhandari and Surendra Tamang advanced to the semi-finals in 35kg category. Likewise, Goman Giri and Bishal Shah secured last four berths in 30kg event, while Ramesh Aryal and Apil Poudel advanced to the 20kg weight category semi-finals. A total of 400 players from Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Bhutan are competing in the two-day tournament organised by IWFN Karate Do Association.