KATHMANDU, MARCH 15
The inaugural Late Babu Chiri Sherpa Memorial Open Sports Climbing Competition wrapped up in Kathmandu on Thursday with Tenzing Rai clinching the title in the men's category,while Srijana Tamang emerging as the champion in the women's division.
Jointly organized by the New York-based Alpine Sports Association, INC. and the Everest Summitter's Association (ESA), the event was held at the Crimpanzee Adventure Hub in Bauddha, Kathmandu.
Both category champions won the cash prize of Rs 50,000 each. Following closely, Ronak Upreti and Sajan Lama secured the first and second runner-up positions respectively in the men's category. Meanwhile, in the women's category, Swastika Chaudhary and Prerna Rai claimed the second and third spots. The Seond and third position won the prize of Rs 30,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively for both categories.
The awards were presented by Namgel Jangbu Sherpa, the mayor of the Soludhudhkunda Municipality.
Chhiring Jangbu Sherpa served as the chief judge for the competition, with Jyamchang Bhote and Pimba Tenzing Sherpa assuming the role of judges.
Nwang Nima Sherpa, President of the New York-based Alpine Sports Association, highlighted the pivotal role of such competitions in fostering adventurous mountain sports. He affirmed the commitment to hosting the competition annually.
Technical support for the event, including route setting, judging, safety measures, and Beley service, was provided by the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA).
Late Babu Chiri Sherpa is considered one of the greatest mountaineers ever. He has summited Mount Everest ten times (including four times from the Chinese side) and is recognized as one of the strongest climbers in the Himalayas and a world-renowned mountaineer.
He managed to set two world records on Mt. Everest during the spring season by spending more than 21 hours on the summit of Mount Everest without oxygen (still a record), and by climbing the Mt Everest from the south side for the fastest time in 16 hours and 56 minutes. Unfortunately, he died on April 29, 2001, during his attempt to climb Everest for the 11th time.
