Kathmandu. Erika Gurung, the Nepali karate player who is most expected in the upcoming 20th Asian Games, has asked her colleagues to be positive, saying that results will come according to their hard work. At the farewell event held at the Tribhuvan International Airport on Friday for the upcoming 20th Asian Games, Erica expressed her hope for her best day and results accordingly.
She also mentioned that the Asian Games competition is considered as the most important moment in life. Erika believes that she should focus on her country and goals without thinking about her future. She said that the Asian Games competition was taken as a form of excitement and enthusiasm by the players.
Erica, the silver medal winner of the 19th Asian Games, said that the participation of the state's members in the upcoming Asian Games gave her more enthusiasm.
The upcoming 20th Asian Games will be held in Nagoya/Aichi, Japan from September 17 to October 4. Nepalese karate is expected to win the most medals in the Asian Games. The Nepali karate team left for Japan on Friday with the aim of preparing for two weeks.
It is the first of 22 karate games for Nepal to go to host Japan for this year's Asian Games. Minister of Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel, Member Secretary of National Sports Council (Rakhep) Ramcharit Mehta and officials of Nepal Karate Federation gave farewell to the Nepali karate team.
On this occasion, Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel said that he felt proud of the athletes who are going to compete in the Asian Games by making the country proud. Minister Pokharel has said that the state does not expect much from the players but he is confident that the players will give their best. Minister Pokharel hopes to play his best without thinking too much about the results.
He is of the opinion that the state looks at the same way when winning and losing. Minister Pokharel says that the state knows how much the players have worked hard on this trip. He said that although the expectations and demands of the players are limited, the state has not been able to fulfill them. Minister Pokharel has made it clear that the players will also get the same services as VIPs from the state.
Kushal Shrestha, the Kumute coach of the Nepalese team, said that he felt honored that he was going to compete in the Asian Games in a different environment this time. He said that he is going to go ahead for some time so that the players can mix in the climate and food of Japan.
He said that since they have been training for a long time under the name of Mission 2026, no one will be exempted that this time the preparation is less. Coach Kushal says that it cannot be said that this result will come, but he will work hard to bring better results than before.
Mandekaji Shrestha, trainer of Nepali karate kata, said that he has been preparing for Mission 2026 for a long time and that training will help all athletes. He also said that closed training also gave more encouragement to the players.
Coach Mandekaji said that giving the VIP room facilities at the international airport to the players who are going to play in the international tournament with the country's flag for the first time has boosted everyone's morale. Coach Mandekaji of Kata mentioned that they will prepare in a good training place in Japan and go to Nagayo after 10/12 days of training there. He hopes to perform well in terms of preparation and win a medal.
8 karate athletes are competing for the Asian Games. In Kata, Nepal is competing in two categories. Nepal's challenge will be in women's team spinning and single spinning. Megha Limbu and Alyssa Rascotti Magar are challenging her in individual kata Sanumaya Thing and in team kata. There is Mandekaji Shrestha in Kat and Kushal Shrestha in Kumute. Kumute has Rakesh Manandhar, Meen Bahadur Tamang, Tenzin Sherpa and Nirupa Dong along with Erika.
