Lalitpur, July 23 The Youth and Junior Asian Weightlifting Championships began here with a grand opening ceremony at the Nepal Army Sports Complex today. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara inaugurated the Championships which features 19th Youth, 24th Women’s and 31st Junior sections. Peacock dance, Lakhe dance and other cultural shows were displayed during the inauguration ceremony, while the participating teams took part in the march past. A total of 241 lifters — 148 in men from 27 countries and 93 women from 17 countries — are taking part in the event. Nepal are fielding 13 players, nine men and four women, in the competition that will start from Monday. Nepal’s Tusar Budha Magar will compete in the men’s 56kg category of in Youth event, while Ganesh Rajbahak and Ram Kumar Yadav will participate in 56kg category events in Junior section.