LALITPUR: Sahadev Bhujel of Dhankuta, Nischal Acharya of Godavari Fitness Academy and Utsav Adhikari of Madhyapur won gold medals on the opening day of the first Godavari Municipality Mayor Cup National Invitational Taekwondo Championship here at the Kitini College on Friday.

Bhujel defeated Bikram Tamang of Chhayasikot in the men’s below-54kg final, while Acharya beat Deepak Dulal of Lalitpur to win the below-38kg section gold. Likewise, Adhikari outplayed Bhupendra Singh Rawal of Pushpanjali in the below-28kg final.

In women’s section, Mamata Budhathoki of Pushpanjali, Sujita Tamang, Khusi Karki and Jina Darai of Godavari Fitness, and Dikshya Magar of Makawanpur won gold medals.

A total of 276 players are competing in the two-day event that features 19 events. Earlier, Godavari Municipality Mayor Gajendra Maharjan inaugurated the championship. — HNS