KATHMANDU, Dec 3: Anu Adhikari shone with two technical knockouts win as Nepal bagged seven golds and two silvers in nine different events of karate at the 13th South Asian Games on Monday.

At the Nepal Karate Academy in Satdobato, Nepal won golds in men’s individual kata, men’s and women’s team kata, senior men’s individual under 55 kg kumite, senior men’s individual over 84 kg kumite, senior women’s individual under 45 kg kumite and senior women’s individual under 50 kg kumite while it won silver medals in women’s individual kata and senior men’s individual under 84 kg kumite. 

This is already the highest number of gold medals achieved in karate by Nepal after the eighth SAG held in Nepal, with ten more events still to go on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Three golds in Kata
In men’s individual kata, Kaji Shrestha won the gold scoring 25.72 points defeating Pakistan’s Niama Tullah, who scored 24.92 to win the silver. 

Sri Lanka’s Sounthararasa Balura and Bangladesh’s Mohammad Hassan Khan won bronze medals.

Likewise, in men’s team kata, Nepal’s Kaji Shrestha, Mahasus Moktan, and Prabin Manandhar won the gold scoring 25.14 points to finish ahead of Sri Lanka’s Adikari Mudiyan Selage, Thalamadille Gedara,and Waranakulasuriya, who scored 23.22 points. 

Similarly, Bangladesh’s Md Arif, Md Saheed, Monowur Hossain and Pakistan’s Ahmed, Ahmed and Niama Tullah finished third.

In women’s team kata, Nepal’s Nirmala Tamang, Saru Karki, and Sangita Magar won the gold with 24.75 points while Pakistan’s Nargis, Shaida and Gul Sabira secured silver with 23.3 points.

In women’s individual kata, Chanchala Danuwar won the silver after she lost against Pakistan’s Sayeda. Danuwar scored 35, while Sayeda scored 42. Sri Lanka’s HeShanee Hettiarrachchi and Bangladesh’s Humaira Akhter Khan won bronze medals. 

Four golds in kumite
In men’s under 55 kg kumite, Nepal’s Laxman Tamang defeated Bangladesh’s Md Mostofa with the smallest margin of 1-0 to win the gold. 

Earlier, Tamang defeated Sri Lanka’s Warna Kulasuriyage K 5-1 to advance to final while Bangladeshi Mostofa overcame Pakistan’s Khan Murad 3-1 to secure the clash with Tamang.

In men’s over 84 kg kumite, Nepal’s Biplav Lal Shrestha beat Pakistan’s Md Baz 5-6 to secure the fifth gold for Nepal. Shrestha had advanced to the finals with a technical knockout win (8-0) over Sri Lanka’s Maggona Gamaralalla while Baz had defeated Bangladesh’s Md Atiqur with a score of 5-9.

In men’s under 84 kg kumite, Nepal’s Diwas Shrestha and Pakistan’s Awais Md were tied on 2-2 before Awais was awarded the gold based on the technical foul following the disqualification of Shrestha in the last second. 

Earlier, Shrestha had defeated Bangladesh’s Md Ramzan 6-1 in the semifinals while Awais went past Sri Lanka’s Jayakodu Arachchige 8-4.

Anu shines 
Nepal’s Kushum Khadka defeated Bangladesh’s Mounjera Borna 3-2 to win the sixth gold for Nepal in karate in women’s under 45 kg kumite. 

But the final bout of the first day was perhaps the most memorable fight as Anu Adhikari remained invincible with impressive technical knockout wins over both her opponents in the under 50 kg kumite.

Anu downed Bangladesh’s Famida Akter in the semifinals 8-0 before beating the finalist Don Pawulu Badalge with the same scoreline to secure the seventh gold for Nepal, leaving the Sri Lankan in tears after the fight. Badalge had defeated Pakistan’s Gul Sabira 3-1 in the semis.

In under 45 kg, Khadka had reached the final defeating Sri Lanka’s Senarath Arachchige 7-6 while another finalist Borna had advanced after defeating Pakistan’s Anwer Iqra 5-3 in the semis. 

 
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