SAG gold medalist Biplav retires from Karate amid claims of bias from NKF

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 20: Biplav Lal Shrestha, a gold medalist at the 13th South Asian Games, announced his retirement from karate as a player on Wednesday. Speaking to the press, he stated that he was forced to retire because the Nepal Karate Federation (NKF) repeatedly ignored him while selecting players for the Mission 26 team under the 20th Asian Games.

"Although I have no desire to retire, and I am not at the age to do so, I have decided to retire with a heavy heart," Shrestha said. 

"Despite my strong performances in several international tournaments held recelntly, the NKF excluded me from the Mission 26  camp and other international tournaments."

He added that prejudice against him from NKF leadership increased after the 2019 Asian Games. He also mentioned that even when he was nominated for the NSJF People's Choice Award 2024, the NKF did not support him.

NKF President Yuva Raj Lama refuted Shrestha's claims in a social media post, stating, "There is no reason for Biplav to be dissatisfied with me. The national selection committee’s decisions must be implemented."

Lama explained that the selection for the national team is based on rules established for national tournaments and selection competitions. 

"To be selected for the national team and to remain in it, athletes must follow discipline and rules," he added. 

He further emphasized that the NKF operates in line with statutes and procedures, and it is not influenced by personal emotions or requests from individuals. Lama thanked Shrestha for his contributions and wished him the best for the future.

Biplav Lal Shrestha has had an impressive career, winning gold medals in the 5th and 8th South Asian Karate Championships held in Bangladesh and Bhutan, respectively. 

\At the 19th Asian Games in China in 2022, he placed fifth. Shrestha also clinched gold at the International Shotokai Karate-Do Championship in India in 2014.

In addition, he won silver at the 10th Shitoryu Karatedo International Championship in Indonesia in 2023 and at the British Karate Federation Championship in the United Kingdom in 2018. Domestically, Shrestha has won several gold medals, including at the 56th National Karate Championship 2024 and the 3rd Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Memorial National Karate Championship 2024. 

He was also the gold medalist at the 9th National Games and a silver medalist at the 7th National Games. Over his career, he earned numerous other gold and silver medals in major national karate tournaments.

Born in Lalitpur in July 1996, Shrestha is a 3rd Dan black belt in Shito-Ryu Karate.