Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 29

Nepal Karate Federation selected the players to take part in the forthcoming ninth SAF Games to be held in Pakistan in March.

The NKF organised the fifth National Karate Tournament, which concluded today, to select the players. Except Rabindra Shrestha of Central Region (55 kg) who defeated Bhesh Bahadur Thapa in the final, other selected players are from national team.

Other selected players included Deepak Shrestha, Kushal Shrestha, Ravi Maharjan, Niraj Karmacharya, Surendra Shrestha and Raju Adhikari. Ganga Ram Maharjan and Tribhuvan Club have been selected for single and team kata section respectively.

In the finals of the selection tournament, Deepak Shrestha defeated Ram Limbu of Central Region in 60-kg, while Kushal beat Bikram Meche of Eastern Region in 65-kg.

In 70-kg weight category, Ravi outplayed Suraj Guvaju of Mid-Western Region, whereas Niraj Karmacharya overwhelmed Binod Shakya of Central Region to qualify in 75-kg. Likewise, Surendra Shrestha defeated Ranjan Shrestha of Central Region in the 80-kg group and Raju Adhikari knocked out Sita Ram BK of Tribhuvan Club in the above 80-kg section.

In single kata section, Ganga Ram Maharjan beat Raj Kumar Shrestha of Tribhuvan Club, while Tribhuvan Club came first in team kata ahead of Nepal Police team.

Ganesh Thapa, vice-president of National Sports Council and president of All Nepal Football Association, and NSC treasurer Mohan Kumar Rai, gave away medals and certificates to the winners.