Lalitpur, April 20: Three Shito-Ryu karate players Sarita Maharjan, Sonali Dong Lama and Bhima Tamang along with Pramila Rajak (Goju-Ryu karate) advanced to the women's open semi-finals with two win each on the opening day of the Ganesh Man Memorial National Kickboxing Championships here today.

Advancing to the semi-finals of the men's 65kg section were Raj Kumar Shrestha of Wushu, Amar Bahadur Kayastha and Santosh Khadka of Shito-Ryu, and Binod Shrestha of Bado-Ryu.

Likewise, Astaman Maharjan, Binod Maharjan, Raju Maharjan and Suresh Kumar Sunuwar of Shito-Ryu, Indra Tamrakar, Prem Tamang and Anil Lama of Bado-Ryu and Rajan Kumar Paija of Wushu also made it to the quarter-finals of men's 55kg bout.

The tournament is unique in itself as it incorporates players from 10 different martial arts disciplines — Shito-Ryu, Kyokusin, Budokaido, Sinjinkai, Bado-Ryu and Goju-Ryu karate and Kickboxing along with Wushu, WTF Taekwondo and ITF Taekwondo.

Players are vying for 11 titles — seven in men's and four in women's section. Top three winners in each section will receive Rs 10,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,500 respectively. Best male and female kickboxers will also get Rs 10,000 each while the best team will be awarded with a purse of Rs 15,000. Earlier, Nepali Congress vice-president Prakash Man Singh inaugurated the tournament organised by Nepal Tarun Dal Sports Division in coordination with Jawalakhel Youth Circle.