Kathmandu: Prakash Kathayat and Rammaya Buda of Jumla bagged gold in under-20, 3000-meter race, at the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, on Monday in the ongoing Youth Athletics Championship currently ongoing at Dashrath Rangasala. The competition is being organized by the Athletic Family of Nepal.
Kathyat completed the seven-and-half laps in 9 minutes 22 seconds while the silver medalist Ajay Pandey of Kapilvastu completed the race in 9 minutes 40 seconds. Likewise, Buda completed the race in 10 minutes 40 seconds, topping Bandana Buda, the silver winner also from Jumla, by 41 seconds.
Mahesh Sidali of Lalitpur secured a bronze in the men’s category, completing the race in 9 minutes 41 seconds. In the women’s category, Bimala Karki of Surkhet bagged the bronze medal, completing the race in 11 minutes 43 seconds.
Speaking to Nepal Live Today after the race, Kathyat said that the victory was unexpected to him.
“I am very much happy with the result,” he said. “It was my first time in such a big competition and unexpectedly, I became the winner.”
Kathayat added that athletes hailing from far-flung areas with scant resources and facilities should be provided with more exposure at national-level competitions.
“I want to be a national athlete some day,” he said.
Sita Neupane, who coached Rammaya and Bandana, expressed her happiness with her girls’ performances on Monday.
“We won the race despite coming from such a rural place, without adequate resources and support from concerned bodies,” Neupane said. “It is all due to our dedication and hard work.”
She added, “We are very happy with our athletes, and we will continue to put more effort on their performance so that they will perform far better in the coming days.”
Comment