Karate Team Eyes Medals at 20th Asian Games

Kathmandu. Karate, which has been delivering excellent results in Nepali sports in recent times, is being seen as a sport with expectations in the upcoming 20th Asian Games.

It is natural to have expectations from Nepal's karate players given the historic medal in the last edition and the successive successes in Nepali sports in recent times. In the 19th Asian Games, Nepal's karate player Erica Gurung won a historic silver medal at the Asian Games. She has been achieving good results in kumite at the Asian Championship, World Championship, and Premier League. This time, along with kumite, much is expected from kata as well. Nepal will compete in two categories in kata at the Asian Games starting September 19 in Japan, according to the kata coach of the Nepali national karate team, Mandekaji Shrestha. Sanumaya Thing will compete in individual kata, and in team kata, she will be challenged by Megha Limbu and Elisa Raskoti Magar. This is the first time Nepal is competing in women's team kata. Nepal has not prepared for this category for a long time. However, coach Mandekaji says that Nepal can perform well in this category even in a short period. The 'Mission 2026' had been preparing for individual kata for three years. However, since each country can participate in only eight out of the total 17 events at the Asian Games, women's team kata has been included in place of men's individual kata. But coach Mandekaji believes that the team kata players are performing well even in a short time. A total of 136 players from Nepal will participate in 22 sports at the 20th Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Preparations are underway for the participation of 136 players, including 80 men and 56 women. There are 32 coaches. Since preparations have been ongoing for the Asian Games for the first time in three years, good results are expected. Coach Mandekaji also states that while Erica Gurung, who won a silver medal in the 19th Asian Games, is moving forward with the goal of winning a gold medal, they are also training with the aim of winning medals in kata. He informed that after the final selection, they will challenge in the Asian Games in a total of seven categories. The Nepali team, competing in team kata for the first time, lacked experience in match exposure. Therefore, the Nepal Karate Federation participated the women's team kata in the 10th South Asian Team Kata held in Bangladesh. Coach Mandekaji said that he was further encouraged when the Nepali team managed to win a gold medal even with 15-20 days of training. Japan is the powerhouse of karate. This time, the Asian Games are being held there. The coach believes that it would be even better if they could prepare in Japan for some time. He also mentioned that the Karate Federation is preparing to take the players to Japan some time in advance to acclimatize them to the weather there. Three male and five female players will compete in karate at the Asian Games. Female players have been delivering good results. Now, there is not much time left for the Asian Games. Therefore, coach Mandekaji says that the players should be provided with the necessary sports equipment on time. He urged that since all players cannot afford to buy sports equipment, sufficient materials should be provided on time. However, he stated that the National Sports Council has started a closed camp and is providing good diet, which has boosted the players' morale. The two medals Nepal won in the last Asian Games were both by female players. The women's kabaddi team won a bronze. They say that the karate kata team will also work hard to create that history. Megha Limbu, a member of the kata team, said that she is training with the goal of improving every day. She said that the players have been further encouraged by the South Asian Championship held in Bangladesh. She believes that training in Japan before the competition would further help the team. Last year, Nepal's kata player Sanumaya Thing performed well in the Asian Championship. She competed for a bronze medal. Based on that performance, she qualified for the World Championship. Now, she along with other players is preparing for the Asian Games. She said that they have been preparing for three years and are improving as the preparation nears. She believes that Erica Gurung has already won a medal at the Asian Games, and that result will be encouraging. Sanumaya also said that she gained a lot of exposure from the South Asian Championship. She expressed hope to improve upon her performance there at the Asian Games. Training for kumite is underway at Satdobato under the training of Kushal Shrestha. Erica Gurung is preparing with the goal of winning a gold medal there. The 20th Asian Games are starting from Ashoj 3rd. Both Nepali karate and women's kabaddi, which won medals in the last edition, will be participating. Due to long-term preparation and recent results, there is hope for favorable outcomes this time. From Nepal, 1 man and 1 woman in archery, 4 men and 2 women in athletics, 2 men and 2 women in badminton, 4 men and 3 women in boxing, 2 men in canoe slalom, 15 men in cricket, 1 man and 1 woman in cycling, and 1 man in dance and sports will participate. Similarly, 3 men and 1 woman in golf, 3 men and 3 women in judo, 12 men and 12 women in kabaddi, 2 men in skateboard, 3 men and 1 woman in soft tennis, 1 man and 1 woman in squash, 3 men and 2 women in swimming, 3 men and 3 women in table tennis, 2 men in taekwondo, 3 men and 2 women in tennis, 12 women in volleyball, 4 men and 2 women in wrestling, and 8 men and 3 women in wushu will present Nepal's challenge.