Squash player Amrit completes a hat trick for National Games Gold

From Pramod Joshi, Pokhara, Oct. 17: Amrit Thapa Magar completed his hat trick of National Games gold following his hard-fought 3-2 victory over his familiar rival Arhant Keshar Simha in the 9th National Games' men's squash final on Monday. 

Amrit clinched back-to-back three squash gold after winning the gold medal in the seventh, eighth and ninth editions of the nation's biggest multi-discipline sport. 

He overcame Arhant in the seventh, defeated Prabin Kansakar in the eighth and again outsmarted Arhant to complete his treble. 

After retaining his gold for the third time, Amrit of Gandaki Province said he was happy to win the title by beating Arhant after a long time. "Arhant has been winning over me in the other tournaments for almost six years. Hopefully, it was one of the best games of mine."

After ending the 16-year reign of Father Hira Bahadur Thapa in 2011, Amrit has not found any competitor to his par other than Arhant. The national squash coach Hira was the only champion of squash from 1994 to 2011. The new era of squash began after his son defeated him. 

National Coach Hira said he is happy over his son's achievement. "I am happy over the achievement. I always hope the best player win. The final match was a fifty-fifty affair. Maintaining the concentration till the last moment can sway the match in such a cut-throat match." 

Nepali squash followers should not trouble themselves imagining the final opponents if Amrit and Arhant are playing in the tournament. Undoubtedly, they are the title favourites of the Nepali squash competition. Either Amrit or Arhant wins the title in the squash tournaments played in Nepal.

However, Arhant is the one who has been winning other squash tournaments against Amrit. Nevertheless, he had not tasted victory in the National Games. 

After recovering from Dengue and Cough, Arhant took part in the National Games. He eased into the final and once again booked the title showdown with Amrit. 

Despite a tough fight, Arhant's dream to win his first gold in the nation's sports gala was once again ruined by Amrit in an almost 54 minutes five-setter marathon match. 

Amrit overcame Arhant's resistance to take the first set by 12-10. Arhant bounced back in the match after easing to an 11-8 victory in the second set. 

Taking the third set by 12-10, Amrit made the match a seesaw battle. Arhant was not in a position to give away the match easily as he again tied the score by taking the fourth set by 11-9. 

Arhant, however, ran out of gas in the last set and surrendered the final by 8-11 to Amrit. 

After taking the silver for Bagmati Province, Arhant said he is satisfied to play at such a competitive level after recovering from Dengue. "I only have five days of proper training as I came to the National Games recovering from Dengue and Cough. Giving such a level of performance itself a satisfactory. 

"Fitness level is very important for squash. Due to exhaustion, it was hard to reply to the slow ball. I was also mentally tired. After almost six years, Amrit has won me."