He received the award amid a function for winning four consecutive gold medals in the South Asian Games (SAG), two bronze medals in the Asian Games and qualifying for the Olympics through competition. This is the greatest achievement by any Nepali player in the history of Nepali sports. [break]
Bista had to maintain a good form for 11 years to achieve such a feat. His winning streak that began in the Eighth SAG in 1999 has not come to an end yet despite his injuries. It is the will power of the unyielding athlete that makes him set an eye upon yet another gold in the upcoming SAG before his retirement.
He wants to set an example by winning his fifth gold in the 12th SAG.
Bista was able to win gold in the 11th edition of the SAG, his fourth gold in the regional event to establish a new record, although he was suffering from knee injury.
The determined and confident taekwondo player was able to win bronze in the 14th Asian Games in Busan with his persistent efforts. He also won bronze in the 15th edition of the Games in Qatar in 2006.
He is the second Nepali player to qualify for the Olympics through competitive selection. Bista successfully passed the qualifying rounds to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was Sangina Baidya of taekwondo who had qualified for the 2004 Olympics before him.
An icon in the eyes of the Nepali fans, Bista has already been awarded with the Player of the Year Award in 2007 and 2008 by Nepal Sports Journalists Forum.
“It is the warm love and affection from Nepali sports fans that keeps me going. My target is another gold in the SAG,” said the 34-year-old athlete. “I´ve already won the award twice but this award is special for me because it motivates me to acquire more medals.”
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