After winning his second bronze medal on Saturday, Khem told Republica that he decided to train in Australia with his personal funds in order to compete in the top-level tournament after the judo governing body of Nepal 'unjustly denied him opportunities' to participate in international tournaments while he was in the national team.
"I will be returning home on June 14 to join my club," Khem told Republica on the phone.Khem had earned his place in the national team of Nepal after dethroning former South Asian judo champion Saroj Maharjan during the Lumbini National Championships. However, disgraced judoka Saroj, who used forged documents to reach Spain illegally, was allowed to compete at the World Championships in Moscow last year at Khem's expense.
His name was also surprisingly omitted from the national team that took part in last year's Asian Games. During both the occasions, Saroj used his influence to usurp Khem's rights to compete in international tournaments as the national champion.
After a dismal show during the Asiad in Incheon, South Korea, where Nepal won a single bronze medal, all the national teams were dismissed by the National Sports Council.
Saroj went to Spain in January in the pretext of attending a judo seminar without the knowledge of Nepal Judo Association and never returned.
On Saturday, Khem won four knockout matches in the men's U-60 kg category but lost one to settle for bronze medal at the Australian National Judo Championships held in Wollongong from June 5 to 7. Khem, who was representing Victoria State, defeated Sam Patrick, also from Victoria, in the third-place playoff with a score of one wazari and one yuko. Khem had won another bronze a day ago during the kata demonstration along with his compatriot Mohan Bam.
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