Kathmandu, September 5:

Nepali swimmer Bibidha Rimal won a 50m breast-stroke bronze medal at the first South Asian Swimming Championship in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Rimal finished third with the timing of 38.57 seconds, said the National Sports Council in a release here today. Sri Lankan swimmer Sohanik won the gold clocking 37.70 while Shova Shetty of India claimed silver medal with the timing of 37.75.

A 12-member team led by coach Shanker Karki is representing Nepal in the championship that concludes on September 8. Rimal was one of the five Nepali ladies participating in the event. Others included Karishma Karki, Nayana Shakya, Sudha Shrestha and Jitzwelly Maharjan.

Seven Nepali swimmers will try their luck as the men’s events commencing from Thursday. Chandra Singh Mahata, Mahesh Jirel, Prasiddha Jung Shah, Puspa Raj Shahi, Raju Maharjan, Tek Bahadur Bal and Padam Sharma will take part in various men’s events that concludes on Saturday.