Kathmandu win Youth C’ship

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu won four gold medals and as many silvers to claim the first Open Youth Taekwondo Championship here on Friday.

Bijeshwori Gyan Mandir finished second with two gold, four silver and two bronze medals. Ranjeet Shrestha of Koteshwor and Rejina Karki of Kathmandu were declared the best players of the championship.

Rejina, Suraj Karki, Amit Chaudhary and Sabi Basyal won gold medals for Kathmandu. Rejina outplayed Rita Gurung to capture the 44-47kg gold medal and the best fighter’s trophy, while Suraj defeated Chandra Magar to win the 49-53kg section gold medal. Likewise, Amit beat Pradeep Ale Magar in the 43-46kg section final and Sabi outplayed Laxmi Karki to claim the girls’ 38-40 section gold medal.

Ranjeet claimed the 53-57kg section gold defeating Rajesh Ranjan Magar in the final. Suleman Karki of Joy House beat Dipesh Shakya in the 40-43kg final, while Bijay Lama of National Taekwondo Training Centre won the 46-49kg gold beating Bikram Khadgi. Also, Bijay Gurung of Chitwan beat Bikesh Prajapati in the 57-65kg final.

In girls’ section, Gyani Chunara won the 51-60kg section gold beating Laxmi Thapa, while Sita Tamang of Dhalko defeated Janaki Shrestha to claim the 47-51kg gold. Bina Lama of Nijgarh beat Sapana Lama in the 40-42kg section final.

Nepal Olympic Committee President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan and Olympians Sangina Baidya and Deepak Bista gave away prizes to the winners. A total of 260 boys and 160 girls took part in the four-day championship organised by Kathmandu District Taekwondo Association under the auspices of Nepal Taekwondo Association.