Nepal Secures Its First Medal at 20th Asian Games as Tenzing Wins Bronze in Karate

Nepal claimed its first medal at the ongoing 20th Asian Games in Japan. Karate athlete Tenzing Sherpa won the bronze medal in the men’s kumite over 84 kg weight category. In the bronze medal match, Tenzing dominated Laos’ Vathana Jayasone with a decisive 9–1 victory. (7 Ashoj, Kathmandu)

In the semifinals held Wednesday at Toyohashi Gymnasium, Tenzing was defeated 5–0 by Iran’s Mahmoud Nemati. Following the semifinal loss, he competed for the bronze medal, overwhelming Vathana Jayasone of Laos 9–1. Tenzing earned 6 points from yuko and 3 points from ippon during the match.

Previously, in the quarterfinals, Tenzing was trailing 1–0 against a Macau athlete but was declared the winner due to an opponent’s fault. With this achievement, Nepal has officially opened its medal tally at the ongoing Asian Games.