15TH ASIAN GAMES DOHA 2006: Nepal’s Asiad campaign ends

Doha, December 14:

Nepal are set to end their 15th Asian Games campaign with three bronze medals — all won by taekwondo players — after wrestler Dharma Raj Yadav was ousted from the quarter-final in the 120kg freestyle here today.

Wushu also concluded today with Nepali players finishing almost at the bottom and Chess, which ends later in the evening today, remains just a formality.

Yadav, the only Nepali wrestler, had a first round bye and lost against Se Hyoung Lee of Korea 0-3 in the quarter-final at the Aspire Hall.

In Wushu, the 10th South Asian Games silver medallist Bhuwan Shrestha finished 11th (last) after the last Jianshu (sword) category under the Women’s Changquan.

In men’s Changquan, Bikash Gurung came 16th only ahead of Lebanon. Xiaochao Yuan of China claimed gold while Rui Jia of Macau and Si Thu Aung of Myanmar won silver and bronze medals respectively.

Gautam Dangol came 16th in the 19-men field after the final third category under the men’s Nanquan. Caibao Wu of China won the gold while Quoc Khanh Pham of Vietnam and Seung Kuen Lee of Korea bagged silver and bronze medals respectively in the event.

In chess, Nepal lost to Sri Lanka 0.5-2.5 in the eighth round of the Mixed Classical Chess. Bilam Lal Shrestha drew with Athula Russell while Surbir Lama and Monalisa Khamboo were beaten by Chinthaka Galappaththi and Yasoda Methmali respectively. Nepal lie at the 18th position with 7.5 points.

With just one round to go, India are assured of the gold medal with 21 points while their close competitors China have accumulated 15.5 points.