With the win, Shrestha made a hat-trick in the men´s open category of the tournament that featured the best players from all five development regions of Nepal.[break]
Shrestha´s victory over a physically stronger opponent, who had the advantage of greater weight, is likely to give him a psychological edge over other opponents during the Sixth National Games which is just around the corner.
“I was confident of winning the match but I hadn´t expected to knock him out,” said Shrestha, who has been selected for training by the National Sports Council under its Misson SAG program.
“Winning the open category will definitely boost my morale during the upcoming National Games,” said Shrestha, who will be representing Central Region in men´s U-81 kg at the Sixth National Games to be held in Dhangadhi and Mahendranagar from February 26 to March 4.
Ramesh Magar of Central Region and Shree Ram Makaju of Nepal Police Club jointly finished third in the event.
The semifinal match between Magar and Tamang was also a major attraction as both players, who were injured in a lift mishap during the 11th South Asian Games 2010, put up a scintillating show without showing any signs of their injuries.
Magar held his ground against his towering opponent before being finally knocked out in a counter attack.
It was Tamang´s first comeback game after two years and the grimacing army man said, “It still hurts a lot. Doctors have told me not to play but I won´t give up. I am not even included in Tribhuvan Army Club because of my injury but I will prove my worth.”
In the women´s section, Indira Rai of Nepal Police Club also won her third consecutive title. Rai defeated Phupu Lhamu Khatri in the final match held at MMAC Hall, Nayabazaar, Kathmandu. Sunita Magar of Central Region and Lila Adhikari of Army Club finished third.
The tournament was organized by the family members of late Ambika Bahadur Chhetri, who was the vice-president of Nepal Judo Association (NJA).
IJF support for ailing coaches
During the closing ceremony of the tournament, the president of Nepal Judo Association (NJA) handed over US$ 4,000, provided by International Judo Federation (IJF), to the families of ailing assistant judo coach Chandra Narayan Chaudhary and volunteer coach Ramesh Dangol.
Chaudhary is undergoing treatment at TU Teaching Hospital for paralysis and gallstone, while Dangol met with an accident some weeks ago.
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