KATHMANDU: Nepali canoeists Bijay Majhi of Dhankuta and Ashish Ranamagar of Sindhupalchok are set to represent Nepal at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.
The Asian Games will be held in the Aichi-Nagoya region from September 19 to October 4. Held every four years, the continental sporting event provides athletes with an international platform to showcase years of hard work and dedication.
Majhi and Ranamagar have been selected to compete in the kayak slalom and kayak cross events. Both athletes have been training at Pokhara’s Phewa Lake for the past month under Nepal Rafting and Canoeing Association chief coach Nimbahadur Magar.
Majhi, who previously worked as a rafting guide on the Tamor River for several years, has transformed his experience navigating the river’s strong currents and challenging conditions into competitive canoeing.
“From helping tourists safely cross the Tamor River, I am now participating in one of Asia’s biggest sporting events. The experience I gained as a rafting guide has helped me a lot in canoeing,” Majhi said.
Alongside Majhi, Ranamagar has also secured a place in the Nepali team. Coach Magar said both athletes will compete in kayak slalom and kayak cross.
According to Magar, the training programme has focused on improving the athletes’ technical skills, physical fitness and competitive ability ahead of the Asian Games.
“The athletes competing at the Asian Games need to be prepared not only technically and physically but also mentally. We are moving forward with the training accordingly,” Magar said.
Regular training at Phewa Lake and surrounding areas has also highlighted Pokhara’s potential as a destination for producing and training canoeing athletes.
Magar said Nepal’s rivers and lakes could serve not only as attractions for recreation and tourism but also as natural training grounds for producing athletes capable of competing at the international level.
Nepal will participate in 22 sports at the upcoming Asian Games.
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