SPORTS BRIEFS: Koju sets personal best

GUANGZHOU, Nov 23: Middle distance runner Kanchhi Maya Koju clocked her personal best time in women´s 1500 m race during the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China on Tuesday.



Meanwhile, Hari Rimal, who had booked a berth in the men´s 1500 m final after a good performance in the heat on Monday, finished last in the final held Tuesday.[break]



Koju completed the race in 4 minutes 38.88 seconds on Tuesday. Earlier, Koju had a personal best time of 4 minutes 41.10 seconds. Though she bettered her time, Koju remained at the bottom in the race comprising 11 participants. Meram Yousuf Jamal of Bahrain won gold in the event with a timing of 4 minutes 8.22 seconds.



Likewise, Rimal completed the men´s 1500 m in 4 minutes 1.44 seconds. Rimal´s timing on Tuesday was 11.29 seconds behind his own timing in the heat. Rimal had clocked 3 minutes 50.15 seconds in the heat on Monday.



Saudi Arabian runner Mohammad Shawen won gold in the event with a timing of 3 minutes 33.49 seconds.



Karate begins Wednesday



Karate is likely to bring home medal for Nepal from the 16th Asian Games (Asiad) after taekwondo, which has continuously been fetching medals, failed to deliver in this edition of the Games.



During the draw held on Tuesday, karateka Tara Gurung got a direct entry into the quarterfinals. If she wins her first bout, she would confirm at least a medal. Gurung has been drawn to play against Lanlan Fed of the hosts China on Friday.



Karate events in the Asiad will begin on Wednesday. Nepal will play in four different categories on the first day.



Malpi lift basketball title



Malpi International on Tuesday lifted the title of the Rato Bangala Inter-college A Level Boys´ Basketball Tournament. Malpi defeated Ullens 38-26 in the final, held at the court of Rato Bangala School, riding on 21 points of Norbu Lama. Except for a 11-11 draw in the third quarter, Malpi lead all the other quarters 6-3, 9-4, 12-8, respectively.



Shankar Nepali scored 18 points for Ullens. Topscorer Lama won the most valuable player award. Eight colleges participated in the five-day tournament. According to the tournament coordinator Rahulbabu Shrestha, Rs 20,000 raised from the tournament will be spent to give sports kits to underprivileged children.



Gyan Niketan, Golden Peak win



Gyan Niketan and Golden Peak won their respective matches in the boys´ category on Tuesday during the Eighth Akira TIA Cup Inter-school Basketball Tournament held at the court of Trungram International Academy (TIA), Hattigaunda. Gyan Niketan defeated AIA 56-39 riding on 29 points from Susan Magar. Golden Peak thrashed the hosts TIA ´B´ 59-20. Rakesh Shrestha contributed 22 points for the winning team.



Likewise, Rajkumar Shrestha scored 23 points for Swapnavatika as they hammered Minar 54-17. In other matches of the boys´ category, Daffodil edged out Greenland 54-46 and Himalayan Academy beat Mount Glory 34-17. In the girls´ category, Daffodil outplayed Bishnumati 35-11 as Yanzin Lama netted 11 points for the winners.

Related story

Running towards success