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- Bista achieves new mark, taekwondo wins two gold
DHAKA, FEB 08 -
Nepali taekwondo ace Deepak Bista led the charge as Nepal bagged two gold, one silver and one bronze medal in taekwondo on Monday to end the event with a total of six medals from the ten participating players sent in Dhaka.
Bista, 34, who bagged his fourth consecutive SAG gold with the first coming in the Eighth SAG in Kathmandu, went into the record books with in the process becoming the first athlete in the history of the event to achieve the mark. He had equaled runner Baikunhta Manadhar's three gold earlier in 10th edition in Colombo.
Bista confirmed his gold after defeating Tashi of Bhutan 17-9 in the below 87 kg category. En route to the finals, Bista had outplayed Mohammad Miznur Rahman of Bangladesh 9-1 in the first round and Nakul Malhotra of India 6-1 in the semifinals. What was impressive in his two bouts was the fact that he did not let his opponents win a single point except the ones he conceded through various different penalties.
“I want to dedicate my gold to the all the Nepali people. Actually with this gold I want to make for the loss I suffered during the Olympics,” said Bista, who had won his first taekwondo gold in Eighth SAG in Kathmandu. He also said he was happy to walk in the footsteps of legendary runner Baikuntha Manadhar, who still holds the record of the fastest timing in SA Games marathon. Former bronze medalist in the 10th SAG, Ayesha Shakya took a giant stride in her playing career winning the second taekwondo gold later in the day. For the gold, Shakya beat Latika Bhandari of India 5-1 in the 53 kg category.
Shakya was speechless after the win and credited her hard work for the gold. Her hard work was clearly evident as she had effortlessly won her final bout against the Indian before defeating Pakistani Madhia Mazhar and Gayatri Sandamali of India in the initial two rounds. “My hard work has payed off,” said the 23-year-old thanking all her well wishers.
While Shakya made merry winning her first gold, it was heart break for former gold medalist Manita Shahi who settled for a silver after going down to Fathima Keshia of Sri Lanka 8-4 in the finals.
Shahi, who had entered the semifinals earning a bye in the first round, easily surpassed the first test defeating Sharabuni Biswas 9-4 of the host. But stumbled in the next hurdle against a much easier opponent of Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Badri Nath Basnet was the only disappointing player from the pack losing his first round against Raviendra Rajapaksha of Sri Lanka. In the previous days, Nepal had won a silver and bronze medal each.
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