BHAKTAPUR: A total of 201 lifters from all over the country are competing in the 26th male and 11th female weightlifting competition that kicked off in Madhyapur Thimi in Bhaktapur today.

The competition organized by the Nepal Weightlifting Association has players representing from 21 districts, said Ram Krishna Shrestha, Chairperson of the Association.

The estimated budget for the competition is Rs 8.6 million, informed the organizers.

The competition would run through January 11, said the organizers, adding that matches have started under senior male and female, junior male and female and youth male and female categories.

There are 90 gold medals, 90 silver and 90 bronze medals for the players emerging victorious in various categories.

Competitions would be held in major four weight groups while under the senior and junior male category, competition would be held in the 55, 61, 67, 73, 81, 89, 96, 102, 109 and 109 kg.

Similarly, under the youth male category, competition would be held in 49, 55, 61, 67, 73, 81, 89, 96, 102 and over 102 kg.

Likewise, competition will be under junior and senior women in 45, 49, 55, 59, 64, 71, 76, 81, 87, and over 87 kg while under the youth female category, competition will be held in 40, 45, 49, 55, 59, 64, 71, 76, 81 and over 81 kg, according to the organizers.