The spirited Bhandari is now ready to accept the 16th Asian Games challenge in marathon. [break]
"We are expecting medal from Rajendra," said Chief-coach Mohan Ghale. "Looking at his timing in SAG and training we expect with him to complete marathon in less than 2 hours 12 minutes. If he does, we can expect medals."
Coach Pushpa Raj Ojha, who has been associated with Rajendra since his comeback, said, "I believe he will set a new national record in marathon."
Veteran marathoner Baikuntha Manandhar has the national and South Asian record of 2 hours 15 minutes 3 seconds set in the Third SAG held in Kolkata in 1987.
Bhandari had clocked 1 hour 59 minutes 47 seconds to complete the 35 km road race in Dhaka. Though Bhandari had run for marathon in Dhaka, it was later found to be shorter than 42.196 km. "I hope he does better this time around," said Ojha.
Meanwhile, Kanchhi Maya Koju is also making her international comeback from the Asiad. Koju, who was on a self-imposed hibernation in Japan after World Athletics Championship in 2007, had been serving a ban imposed by Nepal Amateur Athletics Association.
However, she admitted her fault and apologized for it. NAAA lifted the ban earlier this year. The national record holder in 5000 m is aiming to better her own timing in Guangzhou during the Asiad. "Training is going well and I hope for better results," she said. Koju is also participating in 1500 m in the Asiad.
Hari Rimal will also compete in the middle distance in the male category of 1500 m and 5000 m in the Asiad. "Though we are below par in sprint, we are on par in the middle and long distance," claimed coach Ojha. "We expect to compete in the final round of these events and set a new national record."
Tilak Ram Tharu will represent Nepal in men´s 100 m and 200 m while Chandra Kala Thapa will vie in women´s 100 m. Likewise, Sabitri Nepali will compete in women´s 200 m and 400 m while Dhirendra Chaudhari will compete in 110 m hurdles.
" This time we are expecting to cross it and reach next round. Meanwhile, our target will be to set a new national record," said Coach Ghale.
As track events are dominating Nepal´s athletics participation, national record holder Keshari Chaudhari is only the field athlete from Nepal in Guangzhou. Chaudhari will compete in women´s triple jump in the Asian sports extravaganza scheduled for November 12-17.
Even joggers disturb training
Dasharath Stadium, the only national stadium in Nepal, is currently being used by athletes preparing for the 16th Asian Games. However, women footballers preparing for the First SAFF Championship and army personnel preparing for the internal tournaments of the Nepal army are also training in the same stadium.
What´s more, even the joggers are using the same field and tracks."We are preparing for Asiad but one of our coaches remains busy whistling and requesting people to let our athletes practice," said athletics Chief-coach Mohan Ghale. National Sports Council that looks after the stadium has not taken any step toward making trainings more organized even as Asiad is only a week away.
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