Palesha Govardhan Wins Historic Bronze Medal for Nepal at Paris Paralympics 2024

Palesha Govardhan has made history by winning a bronze medal for Nepal at the Paris Paralympics 2024, marking a significant achievement for the country in the international sporting arena. Competing in the women’s Taekwondo under 57 kg event, under the K-44 category, Palesha secured the bronze by defeating Serbia’s Marija Michev with a score of 15-8 in a thrilling match held last night.

This victory makes Palesha the first Nepali athlete ever to win a medal at the Paralympics, a milestone that has brought immense pride to Nepal. Her journey to the podium was marked by impressive performances, beginning with a dominant 31-0 win over Venezuela’s Valeria Morales in the first round, which propelled her into the quarterfinals.

Despite a close 10-8 defeat to Brazil’s Silvana Fernandez in the quarterfinals, Palesha was given another chance through the repechage round. In this round, she faced host France’s Sefi Carvajnelle and won by a narrow 2-1 margin, securing her place in the medal round.

Palesha’s participation in the Paralympics is historic not only because of her medal but also because she is the first Nepali athlete to compete in the Paralympics after passing the qualifying round. Nepal began participating in the Paralympics at the 2004 Athens Games, but Palesha’s achievement represents a new era for the country in Paralympic sports.

Palesha, who began practicing Taekwondo at the age of 10, joined Nepal’s Para national team in 2016. Since then, she has competed in various international competitions, consistently bringing home medals. Her latest accomplishment in Paris is a testament to her dedication and skill, and it stands as an inspiration for athletes across Nepal.