By Pramod Joshi
Kathmandu, Dec. 4: Nepal maintained its top position in the 13th South Asian Games after taking its gold medal total to 29 after adding six more gold medals on Wednesday.
Regional sports powerhouse India has closed the gap with Nepal after collecting 23 gold medals to finish at the second position in the medal tally.
Rajesh Magar and Nishma Shrestha created a history in Nepal's cycling on Wednesday as they both claimed first ever South Asian Games gold medal.
In the 13th SAG cycling event, held at Jagdol circuit at Gokarna, Magar and Shrestha won the gold medal in men's and women's downhill event respectively.
Nepal whitewashed the rivals the men’s category as Magar clocked 1:49.333 to win the race while Nirav Shrestha took 1:50.080 to finish at the second position and Parichit Thapa claimed bronze medal with a time of 1:51.661.
In the women's category, Shrestha finished the race in front with a time of 2:22.451 while Nepal's Jamuna with a time of 2:41.551 claimed silver medal. India's Yashodhara Madhukar clocked 3:37.238 to satisfy with bronze.
In karate, Nepal bagged one gold medal from Anupama Magar. In women’s 68+kg Magar defeated Pakistan’s Nargis 6-3 to win the final. Semi-finalists Abid Sultana of Bangladesh and Kulathunga Bijeyioon of Sri Lanka took bronze medals. Nepal has so far collected a total of 10 gold medals in karate. Nepal also won four silver and three bronze medals in karate taking the total medal won in karate 17.
In taekwondo, Nepali Olympian Nisha Rawal suffered a shock defeat from India’s Rodali Warwa 32-9 in a one-sided affair of women’s 73kg+ category. Sri Lanka’s Nuwanthi settled with bronze medal.
However, Sakshyam Karki and Sangita Basyal collected gold medals from taekwondo for the host.
Basyal outplayed India’s Gaganjot Gil 19-8 to kiss the gold in women U-62kg. Pakistan’s Joya Sabir and Sri Lanka’s Manisha Samrajiwa shared bronze medal.
In order to win the second taekwondo gold of the day, Karki overwhelmed Pakistan’s Waqar Ali Shah 27-9 in the men’s 87kg final. Karki’s gold became Nepal’s 100 South Asian Games gold medal.
Karki said that it was a moment of pride to mark the nation’s 100 SAG gold. “This is a proud moment for me. I will do my best in the upcoming days,” Karki added.
Meanwhile, Ashmita Khadka ended her SAG journey with bronze medal after losing in the semifinal of women’s 56kg.
Likewise, Nepal added only one gold medal in wushu. Off two gold medals decided today, Nepal won the men's Taolu Nan Quan all-rounder final held at Army Physical Training and Sports Center, Lagankhel.
Deepak Hamal collected 19.32 points to overcome Sajan Lama of India for the first place. Lama with 19.12 points took silver and Md. Amir Hossain of Bangladesh pocketed bronze with 17.18 points.
After winning the first gold medal at SAG, Hamal said that he was confident of winning the medal. "I am confident to win gold medal because I have a good experience of China."
Sri Lankan Tharidu Namal Anuratha snatched gold medal in men's taolu taiji jian with 18.90 points. Gayandash Singh of India bagged silver with 18.74 points. Nepal's Hari Prasad Gole satisfied with bronze after collecting 18.49 points.
Both Singh and Gole boycotted the medal ceremony expression dissatisfaction over the decision of the judges. The match was even halted for some time after the Nepali and Indian players and officials protested referee’s decision as being unfair. However, the referee stood his ground as he decided the bout in favour of the Sri Lankan.