Kathmandu, August 6 :

Wushu is one of the three events introduced in the 10th South Asian Games in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Of the total 20 events, archery and cycling are the other two new events while judo and hockey were re-introduced.

Except for hockey and rowing, Nepal is taking part in all the other 18 events and Nepal is seeking to stamp its authority in wushu. Thaulo coach Ramesh Tuladhar believes that the standard of Nepali wushu in the South Asia region is very high. “Given the proper training and facilities, Nepal can bring good results in wushu,” Tuladhar said. Veteran player Pancha Man Maharjan and coaches even boasted their confidence saying they intentionally lost against the Sri Lankan opponents in the final of the SAF Championship to lure them to include wushu in the SAG.

Tuladahar was, however, cautious in predicting the number of gold medals Nepal would win. “We are hopeful to win at least 5 to 7 gold medals.”

Gold medallist in the Asian Wushu Championship in 1989 (Malaysia), Bina Khadka, who returned from the US just to particuipate in the 10th SAG, said that she would do her best. “We have been doing good in training and hope to perform well in the competition also,” she said.

A total of 12 players — nine men and three women — will fight for 12 gold medals in the regional tournament. Six men will take part in six San Shou (fight) events while six others — three women and three men — will participate in the three different Thaulo (demonstration) events.

Coaches are pinning their hopes especially on Pancha Man Maharjan, Bina Khadka, Macha Ratna Maharjan and Raj Kumar Rasaili as the potential gold medal winners.

SQUAD: THAULO — Changquan: Pancha Man Maharjan, Bhuwan Shrestha; Nanquan: Gautam Dangol, Bina Khadka; Taijiquan: Macha Ratna Maharjan, Rukmani Thapa Magar; SAN-SHOU: Raj Kumar Rasaili (48-52kg), Yub Raj Gurung (52-56kg), Beg Bahadur Pandey (56-65kg), Shyam Bista (60-65), Dhan Bir Maharjan (65-70kg), Bhusan Bajracharya (70-75kg).