Adhikari, who had won gold in a national judo championship in early January, was again in the spotlight Saturday as she knocked out all four of her opponents en route to the women´s open title in the Fourth Ambika Memorial National Open Judo Championship in Kathmandu. [break]
The diminutive 23-year-old player from Tribhuvan Army Club scored a knockout-equivalent ippon to oust heavyweight player Ganga Chaudhary in a counter attack in the women´s final held at the MMAC hall in Nayabazar.
According to judo officials, Adhikari took less than five seconds to defeat Chaudhary of Kailali district. Adhikari´s first opponent Deepa Gurung couldn´t stand a chance as she got knocked out as soon as the referee gave the signal to start the match. Another opponent Debika Khadka of Armed Police Force, who finished third, succumbed within 20 seconds.
Defending champion and three-time winner Indira Rai of Nepal Police Club was the longest to last against her departmental rival. Rai put up a stiff resistance for one minute but Adhikari´s 15 years of experience helped her overcome her opponent who had the advantage of greater weight. Rai finished joint third along with Debika Khadka.
Adhikari, who began learning judo at a tender age of eight, dedicated her success to her coach Rajesh Karmacharya.
“Rajesh guru has played a great role in my success. I learnt everything from him ever since I was a little child,” she said.
Adhikari also got the award for the best ippon.
When asked how she was able to defeat her opponents who were of far greater weight, she said it was all because of hard work and regular training.
In a contrasting style, Adhikari´s club-mate Jung Bahadur Saru lost the men´s final to former Police Club player Mohan Sunuwar as referees decided the game in favor of his opponent after an agonizing eight minutes of game ended in a draw.
Saru, however, got the award for the best ippon.
But the day belonged to Saroj Maharjan, who defeated Nepal´s heavyweight national player Kaluman Tamang of Army Club.
Both of them finished joint third despite Maharjan winning the match on referee decision.
Maharjan (U-60 kg) and Tamang (above 100 kg) played a draw in the regular five minutes. The added three minutes also remained pointless as neither player could turn the tide in his favor for a golden score. All three referees then unanimously decided Maharjan as the winner for his superior game.
“This is the last time that matches will be decided by referee decision,” said Olympian Rishiram Pradhan.
“Rules have changed,” he added.
According to chief coach Birendra Ranjit, referee decisions will not be made now onward as the International Judo Federation has changed the rules.
“There won´t be any time limit now. One player has to score an extra point to win the match now,” said Ranjit.
Nepal Judo Association is organizing a seminar on Sunday to inform its coaches and players about the changed rules.
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