June 21, Pokhara – The Dang team secured the championship title at the 11th National Hapkido Competition 2083, organized by the Nepal Hapkido Association and held in Pokhara. The event, conducted on June 20 and 21, saw participation from athletes representing 52 districts across the country. Dang clinched the team championship by winning 8 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals. Rupandehi achieved second place with 5 gold and 2 bronze medals, while Kaski secured third place with 3 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals.
Individually, Megma Gurung of Kaski was declared the best female player, and Umang Gharti Magar from Dang was named the best male player. Bandana Basnet received the award for the best female referee, and Vishal Thapa was honored as the best male referee. The competition was chaired by Kali Bahadur Gharti Magar, president of the Nepal Hapkido Association. The opening ceremony was inaugurated by Bhimbahadur Karki, Minister for Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives of the Gandaki Province government, while Govind Bahadur Nepali, Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development and Transportation Arrangement of Gandaki Province, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony.
During the ceremony, Minister Nepali presented medals, trophies, and certificates to the winning athletes and teams, emphasizing the importance of sports as a foundation for nation building. He stated that the provincial government would play a positive role in the development of Hapkido, a sport based on self-defense and discipline. The event was attended by key figures including Board Member Khim Pun Magar of the Gandaki Province Sports Council, Central Treasurer Vijaya Kumari Waiba, and central members Rajendra Madai, Dhanraj Gurung, and Yuvraj Gurung from the Nepal Hapkido Association.
President Gharti Magar extended special thanks to athletes, coaches, referees, judges, volunteers, district Hapkido associations, security agencies, media personnel, sponsors, and supporting institutions for their contribution to the success of the competition. He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to expanding Hapkido, producing quality athletes, and preparing capable players for international competitions. According to the Nepal Hapkido Association, the two-day event played a significant role in identifying talented athletes at the national level, enhancing technical skills, and promoting Hapkido throughout Nepal.
