Nepal’s Long Wait for Asian Games Gold

The 20th Asian Games was formally inaugurated on Saturday in Nagoya/Aichi, Japan. Running until October 4, the Games have brought together nearly 11,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries, including Olympic and world champions. For Nepal, the event carries particular significance as the country continues its long search for an Asian Games gold medal. Nepal’s Tenzing Sherpa won bronze in karate on Wednesday, giving the country its first medal of the Games. It is an encouraging start. Yet after nearly seven decades of participation, Nepal has still not won a gold medal or reached double digits in its overall medal tally. Its Asian Games record stands at 26 medals—three silver and 23 bronze. Nepal has participated in the Games since 1951 and won its first medal in taekwondo at the 1986 Seoul Games. Since then, taekwondo, karate and boxing have produced occasional successes. Karate has been particularly important in recent editions, including at the 2014 Incheon, 2018 Jakarta/Palembang and 2022 Hangzhou Games.