Nepal Sports: Award-winning Nepali Athletes Get Rare Honor

In a move encouraging the Nepali sports community, the Nepali Army (NA) recently honored seven Nepali athletes for their achievements at the global level.

Nepali athletes, Bhim Bahadur Gurung, Tirtha Bahadur Tamang, Samir Tamang, Bed Bahadur Sunuwar, Uttam Khatri, Rejina Bhandari and Purna Tamang won various awards at different international ultra-races in the recent times.

In recognition to their achievements, the Chief of Army Staffs General Rajendra Chhettri honored all the seven athletes with cash rewards and letters of felicitation in a program held at the Nepali Army Headquarters in Kathmandu on October 16, 2017.

“You are not just the pride of the Army but of the entire nation,” said the General while expressing NA’s willingness to support the Nepali athletes in all the possible ways that can boost their career growth.

Samir Tamang
In 2013, Samir won 6 medals including 3 gold medals and was also the winner of the Luntau Hong Kong 100 km race, MSIG Hong Kong and Austria 50 km.

Tirtha Bahadur Gurung
Tirtha also received 1 gold and 5 other medals in various global competitions. He was also the winner of Oxfarm Trail Walker Hong Kong, Dali City China, Vibram Hong Kong, Serzeenal Marathon Switzerland and UTMR Italy and Switzerland challenges held in 2013. 

Bhim Bahadur Gurung
Bhim was also the award-winning athlete, who claimed five gold medals and 1 silver medal at various international competitions. He won gold medals for in the Oxfarm Trial Walker Hong Kong, World Series Sky Running in China, Ultra Trail Sky Running in France, World Series Salmon and Sky Running in Italy competitions.

Purna Tamang, Bed Bahadur and Uttam
While Purna was the winner of the North Face Hong Kong Marathon, Bed Bahadur received gold medals for the Oxfarm Trail Walker Marathon Hong Kong and Asian Mountain Marathon.

Uttam had won two gold medals for the Oxfarm Trailer Walker Marathon in 2013 and 2014.

The Only Woman Athlete
Rejina was the only female athlete of these seven sportspersons who won international awards. Rejina won the 64-km Ultra Marathon Running and Trubelstock Ultra Marathon in Switzerland.