Despite scant resources, Nepal’s para-fighters keep kicking

After guiding Nepal to its first-ever Paralympic medal, volunteer coach Kabiraj Negi Lama is training five athletes. But Lama has no job, no recognition, and minimal state support.

Every morning, except on Saturdays, Kabiraj Negi Lama walks into a modest taekwondo hall of the Nepal Taekwondo Association building in Satdobato, Lalitpur. The sun has barely risen, but the space is already abuzz with the echoes of powerful, menacing kicks hitting paddle targets and the sharp “aah!” of athletes pushing their limits.