E-Kantipur

DHAKA, FEB 02 - Injured judo ace Debu Thapa braved her ailing thighs and shoulders to win an emotional bronze medal in the women’s judo in the 11th South Asian Games here on Monday.

Thapa who injured her shoulders and things in Friday’s elevator accident that left 10 Nepali players and officials injured, lived upto her words of winning a medal in her 63 kg event, grabbing a bronze defeating Leena Aaini of Afghanistan.

“I have fulfilled my dreams of not returning empty handed from the event,” said Debu much later after match.

When she entered the mat, rolled in bandages to cover her healing wounds, all the audience expect the ones from the opposition country -- Afghanistan, shouted for her support. “Debu, Debu echoed the venue.”

Debu’s India opponent Bajreshwori Devi when she won silver in the 10th South Asian Games in Colombo led the band of supporters encouraging her. Bajreshwori, who had also trained with Devi prior to the event, was the ultimate winner in the category today.

After winning the medal, tears rolled down her eyes with pain and joy.

She was speechless for some time calling for her mother in pain. “I remembered my husband immediately after the game,” she said. “I did not think I could make a comeback after the accident.”

Debu had prepared herself for a gold medal but said she was satisfied with what she had achieved after the injury. The two other who were badly injured – Kalu Man Tamang and Ramesh Magar – are still in the hospital. Earlier, Rajan Joshi and Radha Devi Rai won a bronze medal in the above 52kgs category to deliver the fourth bronze from judo.

First win in basketball

Debutants Nepal registered their first victory in men’s basketball in the  South Asian Games with a hard fought 74-72 win over host Bangladesh on Monday.

After Sunday’s near victory against Maldives, the Nepali team put up a scintillating performance against the host today to register a come from behind victory.

Nepal trailing 13-18 in the first quarter, bounced back in the game in the second quarter holding the home team to a 16-16 tie. The following quarter saw Nepal in a dominant mood reducing their five-point deficit to just two at the end of the third quarter scoring 19-17.

Nepal maintained their momentum in the final quarter as well defeating the host 29-21 to register a narrow two point lead.

 

Posted on: 2010-02-10 03:52

Post Your Comment

Please note that all the fields marked * are mandatory.
* Full Name
* Address
* Email Address
* Comment
* Captcha	Get another CAPTCHA code
Note:	Comments containing abusive words or slander shall not be published.