Pokhara, January 12

Tribhuvan Army Club lifter Dinesh Shrestha set new national record in the men’s 105kg weight category of the National Weightlifting Tournament under the NSC Championship here today.

Shrestha lifted 121kg in snatch to break 19-year-old record held by Madan Shivabhakti, who had lifted 120kg during the eighth South Asian Games held in Kathmandu in 1999.

Shrestha also lifted 140kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 261kg to win the gold medal, while Nepal Police Club’s Sandesh Gurung came second with 232kg — 100kg in snatch and 132kg in clean and jerk. Mohmad Ashik Hussain of Bara lifted 88kg in snatch and 105kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 193kg to finish third.

Similarly, TAC’s Pukar Gurung bettered the national record in the above-105kg category. He lifted 125kg in snatch, one more that he had lifted in the seventh National Games in 2016. Gurung also lifted 140kg clean and jerk for a total lift of 265kg on his way to winning the gold medal.

NPC’s Rajeev Maharjan finished second with a total weight of 213kg — 95kg in snatch and 118kg in clean and jerk, while Subash Upadhyaya of Kanchanpur came third with 207kg — 87kg in snatch and 120kg in clean and jerk.

In 85kg event, TAC’s Surendra Shrestha claimed gold medal. He lifted 105kg in snatch and 127kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 232kg. Gagan Chand of NPC bagged silver medal with a total lift of 210kg — 93kg in snatch and 117kg in clean and jerk, while Bishal Singh Bista of Kanchanpur came third with 200kg — 85kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk.

In 94kg category, TAC’s Tahal Bahadur Basel lifted a total weight of 217kg — 90kg snatch and 127kg in clean and jerk – to win the gold medal. NPC’s Shree Krishna Maharjan bagged silver with 210kg — 100kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk, while Bhaktapur’s Jayadi Koju came third with a total lift of 191kg — 81kg in snatch and 110kg in clean and jerk.

TAC’s Kamal Bahadur Adhikari, who had won gold medal in the men’s 77kg category, and NPC’s Tara Devi Pun, who bagged the women’s 90kg event gold, were adjudged the strongest lifters of the event. TAC’s Sanju Chaudhary, who bettered her own national record in 53kg weight category, was named the best lifter. All three lifters got Rs 5,000 each.

Debu bags gold

HETAUDA: Shivani Debu of Dadeldhura won the women’s 48kg weight category gold medal in the National Wrestling Tournament here on Friday. Similarly, Kanchanpur’s Maya Lohar and Sangita Dhami won gold medals in the 53kg and 58kg weight categories respectively. Tribhuvan Army Club’s Kabita Pun and Sushila Chand were the winners in 60kg and 63kg categories respectively. In men’s section, Bara’s Ram Babu Yadav won 57kg category gold, while his teammates Bunni Lal Raut claimed 86kg event and Mukhtar Alam won the 74kg category gold medal. Parsa’s Raj Yadav won the 125kg event and his teammate Saroj Yadav came first in the 65kg event. Kailali’s Santosh SK clinched the gold medal in the 61kg, Suresh Chunara of Kanchanpur became the winner in the 70kg category and Ramesh Gotame of Banke claimed the 97kg category gold medal.

Central triumph basketball titles

KATHMANDU: Central Region won the titles of the National Basketball Tournament here on Friday. In the men’s final, Central defeated defending champions Tribhuvan Army Club 80-77 riding on Bipin Maharjan’s 18 points. Nepal Police Club beat Nepal APF Club 88-74 to finish third. In women’s final, Central saw off Mid-western 63-44. Anusha Lama contributed 22 points for Central. TAC defeated Western 41-27 to finish third.

Shrestha, Saun claim title

KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club duo Shyantu Shrestha and Deep Saun won the men’s doubles title of the Huawei National Table Tennis Championship here on Friday. Shrestha and Saun defeated the Tribhuvan Army Club pair of Krishna Thapa Magar and Narayan Ghimire 11-3, 11-2, 11-5. In women’s doubles final, Elina Maharjan and Nabita Shrestha of NPC defeated TAC duo Swechchha Nembang and Rabina Maharjan 4-11, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10, 11-5.