After the storm in Nagoya, Arika Gurung searches for her sun
Summary
Arika Gurung reflects on the heartbreak of missing Asian Games gold in Nagoya after losing the bronze-medal bout, but says she is determined to move on and keep chasing top honors for Nepal. The decorated karateka also urges the government to invest more broadly in athletes and coaching support.
Key Points
- Arika Gurung missed out on a medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after losing to Saudi Arabia’s Dina Ahmed S Mostafa in the bronze medal match.
- The 22-year-old said the defeat left her with deep guilt because Nepal had invested heavily in her preparation for a gold-medal run.
- She wants Nepal to invest more in coaching and the wider squad rather than sending only a few athletes abroad for exposure.
- Gurung plans to resume training for the 10th National Games in Karnali and hopes to put the Nagoya disappointment behind her.
