Adhikari excels record holder Parki to win 10k race

By Pramod Joshi, Pokhara, Oct. 16: The 13th South Asian Games bronze medalist Deepak Adhikari stunned national record holder Gopi Chandra Parki to win the men's 10,000 meters race at the 9th National Games on Sunday.

Long-distance runner Parki has been an inspirational source of Adhikari. He has also been competing against his idol Parki on several occasions but has not overcome him.  "Parki has been the source of inspiration in my running career. I have contested with him in several competitions. But was not able to win over him."

But on Monday morning, the 27-year-old Adhikari not only beat him but also shattered the national record set by Parki in the 10K race. 

He clocked 30 minutes and 10.30 seconds to excel the Parki's record of 30:30.99 set during the Incheon Asian Games. Parki of the APF Club could not come close to his personal best and finished in second place with a time of 30:38.30. 

Gajendra Rai of the Army trailed at the third position with a time of 30:49.50. 

Adhikari, who hails from the village of another runner Hari Rimal, says he was focusing to give his best in his first participation at the National Games. "I was focused to give my best. During the training, I was close to the record time. All three of us were closer to the record in the training. I have not hoped my timing would surpass the national record."

His clubmate Rai was leading the race till the 15 laps.  "After 15 I took over both Rai and Parki and eventually kissed my first National Games gold."

Jayarani betters national mark to win 400m gold

Jayarani Tharu added another Athletics gold to Army's kitty as she eased to 400m hurdles victory by bettering her national mark of 1 minute and 7.2 seconds set during the 44th National Athletic Championship held four months ago.

Tharu clocked 1:04.13 to better his personal record and took two seconds to lead to win the gold medal. Bhagirathi Kumari Tharu of APF was following Jayarani at the second position with a time of 1:06.06.  Kalpana Shrestha of APF remained in the third position after finishing the race with 1:06.51.

After the victory, Jayarani said the lack of competitors helped her to easily win the race. The women's 400-meter hurdle final event was held directly after adequate players were not available during the heat round. Twelve players have registered for the heat round but seven sprinters only showed up for the contest.

The 21-year-old Tharu said her target is to play better in international events. Billed as the next Athletics queen of Keshary Chaudhary of Nepal, Tharu had won five gold medals at the 44th National Athletics. "After Keshary left Nepal, I have been winning."

Khagita Sinjali Magar clinched the women's high jump gold medal with 1.52 meters. Bindu Thanet of the Army claimed silver with a 1.50-meter jump. Sima Shrestha of Gandaki with a 1.41-meter jump took the bronze medal. 

The second day of the Athletics event was dominated by Army as it claimed all four gold medals decided at the track of Pokhara Stadium. 

The men's high jump gold also went to Nepal Army after Surya Bahadur Khatri finished in the first position with 1.90 meters. Nikesh Mahato of Bagmati bagged the silver medal with a 1.75-meter and Roshan Danuwar with a 1.75-meter jump pocketed the bronze medal.  

Ashley bags her fourth gold medal

Ashley Sapkota Dangol bagged her fourth gold medal in swimming following her win at the women's 800-meter freestyle on Sunday.

Dangol, born and raised in the United States, is playing her first National Games in Nepal representing the NRNA team. 

The 16-year-old swimmer covered her distance in 10 minutes and 30.64 seconds to add fourth gold in her kitty. 

Nepal Police Club's Arya Maharjan took 10:41.62 minutes to finish second place in women's 800m. Samira Sobh Thapa of Police won the bronze medal for Police with a time of 10:57.64.  

In the short course swimming pool of the Fishtail Academy in Pokhara, Ashley also won gold medals in 100m freestyle, 200m backstroke and 50m butterfly on Saturday. 

After the Nepali swimming sensation, Gaurika Singh walked over from 100m freestyle, 200m backstrokes and 800m freestyle, Ashley saw no competitor in the race. 

Gaurika holds the national record in all three events of the short course.