Sunsari, December 29

Central Region claimed top three positions in elite section of the cycling competition under the seventh National Games here in Bijaypur today.

In the men’s section, BuddhiBahadurTamang clocked one hour, 27 minutes and 01 seconds to finish first. The race was held over nine laps 3.2km each. Narayan GopalMaharjan bagged silver with the timing of one hour, 27 minutes and 47 seconds, while Raj Kumar Shrestha came third in 1:33:24.

In women’s category, Central’s LaxmiMagar bagged gold. She clocked one hour, 14 minutes and 29 seconds to finish the six-lap race, while TAC’s ManjuKumariKhadka (1:17:34) and PushpaBhandari (1:20:24) won silver and bronze medals respectively.

Likewise, Central also claimed top three positions in the men’s junior category with SurajRanaMagar winning gold in 59 minutes and 21 seconds. PrachitThapaMagar clocked one hour and one minute to win silver andAnishTamang bagged bronze in one hour one minute and 19 seconds.

In the men’s master’s category that was also held over six laps, Central’s BikramRai won gold in one hour, 11 minutes and 24.5 seconds, while Western’s DamodarBudhathoki clocked one hour, 11 minutes and 36 seconds to claim silver and Nepal APF Club’s Aash Narayan Chaudhary came third in one hour, 13 minutes and 24 seconds.

Men’s cricket

Nepal APF Club and Tribhuvan Army Club advanced to the final of the men’s cricket tournament.

APF thrashed Central Region by eight wickets. Opting to bat first, Central were bowled out for a paltry 61 runs in 17.5 overs before APF completed the target in 9.3 overs losing two wickets. PradeepAiree remained unbeaten on 33 runs. Airee hit five boundaries in his 24-ball knock.

In second semi-final match, TAC outplayed Nepal Police Club by eight wickets. Opener Anil Mandal’s unbeaten 62 runs and 59 runs from Sagar Pun helped TAC post reach the 145-run target in 18.3 overs. Mandal hit six fours in 54 balls, while Pun cracked seven fours and a six while facing 48 balls. Earlier, NPC posted 144 runs after winning the toss.

Aarif Sheikh top scored with 35 off 37 balls and DilipNath scored 32 off 25 balls. TAC’s Sompal Kami claimed three wickets, while Bikram Sob and Chandra Saud took two wickets each. The final is slated for Friday.

Fencing

Tribhuvan Army Club won the women’s Epee team event gold in the second Fencing National Championship held under the seventh National Games in Kathmandu. Nepal APF Club and Central came second and third respectively. APF bagged gold in men’s section with Central winning silver and TAC coming third.

In women’s individual Sabre event, TAC’s AsmitaBasnet won gold, finishing ahead of APF’s TulasaRajthala. TAC’s RabinaThapa and APF’s SukmayaGhising won bronze medals.

In men’s section, APF’s JayramAwasthi came first ahead of his teammate PrakashKunwar. TAC’s AmitBhandari and KhusimanGurung of Western Region finished joint third. In women’s team event of Sabre, TAC, APF and Western Region claimed top three positions respectively.

Men’s football

Departmental team Tribhuvan Army Club advanced to the men’s football final defeating Central Region 7-6 in sudden death at the ANFA Technical Centre in Dharan on Thursday.

The tie-breaker was held today due to poor light following the goalless draw yesterday. In Friday’s final, TAC will face APF, who beat NPC 2-0. Meanwhile, NPC won bronze medal with a 4-3 win against Central Region, who faced their second defeat of the day.

TirthaRanaMagar scored a brace and BholaSilwal scored a goal for NPC, while Central’s KuldeepKarki netted an own goal. Tanka BahadurSyangden scored two goals and ShyamBabuKyapchhaki netted a goal for Central Region.