How Palesha Goverdhan Made History with Nepal’s First Paralympic Medal

Nepal’s first Paralympic medallist, Palesha Goverdhan, received a grand hero’s welcome upon her return from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where she made history by winning a bronze medal in para taekwondo. Crowds of supporters gathered at Kathmandu’s airport, cheering as she arrived, draped in Nepal’s national flag and surrounded by garlands and traditional Buddhist scarves.

At just 21, Goverdhan has become a symbol of pride and hope for Nepal. In her speech following her arrival, she expressed gratitude and joy for bringing the first-ever Paralympic medal to the Himalayan nation, stating, “This achievement is not just for me, but for everyone. It’s been a long wait, but I believe this win will inspire young athletes to see that it is possible.”

Born with a congenital limb deficiency on her left hand, Goverdhan’s journey in martial arts began at the age of 10 when her talent was spotted by her coach. After years of training and determination, she won the bronze medal in the women’s K44-57kg para taekwondo category, defeating Serbia’s Marija Micev 15-8 in Paris.

Her win marks a historic milestone for Nepal, which had never secured a medal at either the Paralympic or Olympic Games. Previously, Goverdhan had finished fifth in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and won multiple medals in Asian Para Games and Championships.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and President Ram Chandra Paudel both publicly honored Goverdhan, recognizing her historic achievement. Prime Minister Oli also announced a cash prize of Rs 6.5 million in her honor, stating, “Palesha’s victory is Nepal’s victory. Her compelling performance has elated all of us.”

President Paudel echoed these sentiments during a ceremony at the President’s Office, where Palesha and her coach, Kabiraj Negi Lama, were garlanded and felicitated. He praised her dedication and expressed hope that she would continue to excel, bringing further glory to the nation in future competitions.

Goverdhan’s win has not only brought pride to Nepal but has also drawn attention to the potential of para-athletes in a country where para-sports have historically been underfunded. As Sugam Bhattarai from Nepal’s National Federation of the Disabled noted, her achievement has the potential to spark greater investment in and support for para-sports in Nepal.

As Palesha continues her journey as a role model for para-athletes, she stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and national pride, forever etching her name in Nepal’s sports history.