Nepal dominate South Asian Skateboard

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 25: Nepali skateboarders dominated the 5th South Asian Skateboard Competition, which was organised by Nepal Skating and Skateboarding Association and Skate-Aid Nepal, in Rupandehi district. 

The competition was participated by 300 skateboarders from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan and Maldives. They took part in three categories: senior men, senior women and junior men. The competition was for a gold, silver and bronze medal in each category.

Of the total nine medals, Nepali skateboarders won eight – three gold, two silver and three bronze – and dominated the competition.

Sharad Rai, Basanta Rai and Dhiraj Pariyar won the gold, silver and bronze medals in the senior men category respectively. Likewise, Samikshya Rai clinched gold, Khusi BK bagged silver and Swati Shrestha pocketed the bronze medals in the senior women category. In the two categories, the top three players were also awarded with a purse of 1,000, 500 and 250 USD respectively.

On the other hand, India’s Mohammad Bin Javed was the only foreign player to win a medal. He claimed the silver medal in the junior men’s category where Nepali skateboarders Abhishek Pariyar and Karma Lama Gurung got the gold and bronze medals respectively. The cash prize for the top three was 200, 150 and 100 USD respectively in the junior category.

The players at the top were selected based on their performances in skateboard games and best-run competitions.

Gajendra Bardewa was adjudged the best skateboarder in the competition. He was awarded with a purse of 200 USD.

“Skateboarding is a sport with growing interest throughout South Asia. It should be included in the South Asian Games (SAG),” said Achyut Khanal, chairman of Nepal Skating and Skateboarding Association.