Sadbhav Acharya defends title

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 30: Nepal’s Sadbhav Acharya successfully defended his men’s individual title at the 12th Nepal International Amateur Golf Championship, sealing a dominant week for the hosts at the par-72 Gokarna Golf Club on Friday.

Acharya carded an even-par 72 in the final round to finish the 54-hole tournament with a nine-under-par total of 207. 

His clinical performance secured a four-stroke victory over India’s Vivaan Ubhayakar, who shot a two-under 70 to claim silver with a five-under 211 total. Nepal’s Rahul Bishwakarma took the bronze medal, finishing at three-under 213 after carding a one-over 73.

Rounding out the men's top 10 were K. Danushan (Sri Lanka), Nikhil Pande (India), Nilofer Sivmoorthy (India), Chanaka Perera (Sri Lanka), Dechen Dhondup (Bhutan), alongside Nepali duo Wangchen Dhondup and Tenzing Tsering.

In the women’s field, Nepal’s Tara Karki Chitrakar claimed the gold medal with a 25-over-par total of 241, closing out her campaign with a 12-over 84. Chitrakar finished a commanding 14 strokes ahead of compatriot Samjhana Khatri, who took silver with a total of 255 after also carding an 84 on Friday. India’s Nayonika Kapoor snatched the bronze medal on a scorecard count-back ahead of Nepal's Avani Rai after both finished tied on 260. Kapoor carded a final-round 85 to edge out Rai, who shot an 86.

India enjoyed a clean sweep in the boys’ Under-17 category, locking out the podium. Ubhayakar’s senior performance doubled as a junior gold with his five-under 211 total. Nilofer secured silver at two-over 218 following a final-round one-under 71, while Prince Bainsla (75) took the bronze with a total of 12-over 228.

Host nation Nepal topped the final medal standings with five medals (three gold, one silver, and one bronze). India finished with six medals (one gold, three silver, and two bronze), while Sri Lanka left with a single bronze. Bhutan and Bangladesh finished the tournament without a medal.

The tournament, organised by the Nepal Golf Association to mark Everest Day, featured 52 golfers representing five countries. Prizes were presented by Nepal Olympic Committee President Jeevan Ram Shrestha, NGA President Tashi Ghale, Treasurer Kishan Agrawal, and Board Member Chandra Tandan.