KATHMANDU, Aug 31: President Ramchandra Paudel has congratulated Palesha Govardhan for winning a historic bronze medal in the Paralympics 2024. 

Taking to social media this morning, President Paudel congratulated Palesha for the historic feat achieved in Paris, France.

"The bronze medal won by Palesha, who has excelled in sports with her different abilities, is a matter of pride for Nepal and Nepali people," reads his message.

In the women's under Taekwondo 57 kg event under the K-44 category match held last night, Palesha defeated Serbia's Marija Michev by 15-8 points to bring a coveted bronze medal for herself and the country.

She has become the first Nepali athlete to win a medal in the Paralympics. In the first round match held yesterday, she had defeated Valeria Morales of Venezuela by 31-0 and made it to the quarterfinals. However, she lost to Brazil's Silvana Fernandezong 10-8 in the quarterfinals.

As she was defeated in the second round, she got another chance or repechage, in which she defeated host France's Sefi Carvajnelle by 2-1.

Palesha is also the first Nepali athlete to play in the Paralympics after passing the qualifying round. 

Nepal has started participating in the Paralympics since the 2004 Athens Para-Olympics. Palesha started playing taekwondo since the age of 10 and joined the Para national team in 2016. Since then she has participated and won medals in various international competitions.

 
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