Nepal’s Performance in the Asian Games: Triumphs and Challenges

Nepal has been participating in the Asian Games since its debut in 1951, when the event was held in Delhi. However, over the past 35 years, Nepal has secured only 26 medals, consisting of 23 bronze and 3 silver. Despite a modest medal tally, Nepal’s achievements at the Asiad have seen significant milestones.

One of the most notable achievements came in 1998, when Sabita Rajbhandari secured Nepal’s first-ever silver medal in taekwondo at the Asian Games held in Bangkok. This was a historic moment, marking Nepal’s breakthrough in the multi-sport event. It took 20 years for Nepal to win another silver medal, and this time it came unexpectedly through paragliding at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia. However, the biggest surprise came in 2023 when karateka Arika Gurung won a silver medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. This marked Nepal’s first individual silver in 25 years, following Sabita Rajbhandari’s 1998 achievement.

In addition to these silver medals, Nepal has consistently performed well in karate, securing multiple bronze medals over the years. The first bronze came in 1994, when Sita Rai won a medal in the 12th Asian Games in Japan. Other bronze medalists include Sambar Bahadur Gole (1998) and Bimala Tamang (2014). The 19th Asian Games also saw Nepal winning a bronze in women’s kabaddi, marking a significant achievement for the team in their first-ever participation at the Asiad.

Despite these successes, Nepal’s performance has been hampered by several challenges. The country’s most consistent sport in the Asian Games has been taekwondo, but the sport has seen a decline in recent years. Nepal has also struggled in other events where it once had stronger performances. The country’s approach to training and competition remains traditional and the technical aspects of sports have not kept pace with global standards. Additionally, Nepal’s sports sector suffers from insufficient investment, lack of foresight, and limited opportunities for athletes.

To improve its performance, Nepal needs a more structured approach to talent development, including better planning, investment, and exposure to international competitions. The country must focus on updating training techniques, hiring qualified coaches, and offering more opportunities for athletes to compete at both national and international levels. A shift in focus towards long-term goals, such as securing positions in the Olympics, will help Nepal achieve sustained success in global sporting events.

Asian Games medalist from Nepal

Dal Bahadur Rana Magar	Boxing	63 KG	10th Asian Games	1986	Seoul, South Korea	Bronze
Manoj Bahadur Shrestha	Boxing	63 KG	10th Asian Games	1986	Seoul, South Korea	Bronze
Sushil Pokhrel	Boxing	75 KG	10th Asian Games	1986	Seoul, South Korea	Bronze
Tul Bahadur Thapa	Boxing	91 KG	10th Asian Games	1986	Seoul, South Korea	Bronze
Bidhan Lama	Taekwondo	50 KG	10th Asian Games	1986	Seoul, South Korea	Bronze
Raj Kumar Rai	Taekwondo	76 KG	10th Asian Games	1986	Seoul, South Korea	Bronze
Raj Kumar Buchhe	Taekwondo	83 KG	10th Asian Games	1986	Seoul, South Korea	Bronze
Ram Bahadur Ghacche	Taekwondo	58 KG	10th Asian Games	1986	Seoul, South Korea	Bronze
Chitra Bahadur Gurung	Boxing	63.5 KG	11th Asian Games	1990	Beijing, China	Bronze
Sita Rai	Taekwondo	60 KG	12th Asian Games	1994	Hiroshima, Japan	Bronze
Man Bahadur Shahi	Taekwondo	Fly Weight	12th Asian Games	1994	Hiroshima, Japan	Bronze
Sabita Rajbhandari	Taekwondo		13th Asian Games	1998	Bangkok, Thailand	Silver
Sapana Malla	Taekwondo		13th Asian Games	1998	Bangkok, Thailand	Bronze
Kishor Bahadur Shrestha	Taekwondo		13th Asian Games	1998	Bangkok, Thailand	Bronze
Sambar Bahadur Gole	Karate		13th Asian Games	1998	Bangkok, Thailand	Bronze
Deepak Bista	Taekwondo	-67 KG	14th Asian Games	2002	Busan, South Korea	Bronze
Renu Magar	Taekwondo	-55 KG	14th Asian Games	2002	Busan, South Korea	Bronze
Ritu Jimeu Rai	Taekwondo	-63 KG	14th Asian Games	2002	Busan, South Korea	Bronze
Deepak Bista	Taekwondo	78 KG	15th Asian Games	2006	Doha, Qatar	Bronze
Manita Shahi	Taekwondo	63 KG	15th Asian Games	2006	Doha, Qatar	Bronze
Ayasha Shakya	Taekwondo	59 KG	15th Asian Games	2006	Doha, Qatar	Bronze
Deepak Maharjan	Boxing	81 KG	16th Asian Games	2010	Gaunghou, China	Bronze
Bimala Tamang	Karate	KATA	17th Asian Games	2014	Incheon, South Korea	Bronze
Bijay Gautam, Sushil Gurung, Yukesh Chaudhary, Bishal Thapa, Bimal Adhikari	Paragliding team	Men’s Team Cross Country	18th Asian Games	2018	Jakarta, Indonesia	Silver
Women’s Kabaddi Team	Kabaddi	Team	19th Asian Games	2023	Hangzhou, China	Bronze
Arika Gurung	Karate	68 Kg , Kumite	19th Asian Games	2023	Hangzhou, China	Silver