Nepal has become the team champion at the 7th Asian Savate Championship held at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Nepal claimed the team championship by winning the most medals, 31 gold, 20 silver, and 30 bronze, in the championship organised by the Nepal Savate Association from April 16 to 20, with technical and official support from the International Savate Federation and the Asian Savate Confederation, said Nepal Savate Association President Laxman Basnet.
India finished second in the team standings with 18 gold, 27 silver, and 22 bronze medals, while Indonesia finished third. Uzbekistan received the Disciplined Team Trophy.
Nepal’s Amrita Tamang won the Fair Play Award, while Uzbekistan’s Mashrapov Omidjon was declared the best player in the men’s category and India’s Watanpai was named the best player in the women’s category. Additionally, President Basnet informed that 58-year-old Barney Vackey and 54-year-old Francis Vesetulu of New Zealand received the Veteran Excellence Award at the Himalayan International Open Savate Championship.
National Sports Council Member Secretary Ram Charitra Mehta and Vice President of the International Savate Federation Jill Duigou, who travelled from France, inaugurated the competition, while Nepal Savate Federation Chairman Laxman Basnet delivered the welcome remarks. Around 300 players from nine countries across Asia participated, though players from Thailand, Iran, Bangladesh, and Japan were unable to attend at the last minute due to various reasons.
On the final day of the competition, Sunday evening, former Assistant Minister Biraj Bahadur Bista, International Savate Federation Vice President Jill Duigou, Nepal Savate Federation President Laxman Basnet, Nepal Savate Federation General Secretary Siddhi Byanjankar, and others presented medals, trophies, and certificates to the winning athletes.
At the closing ceremony, International Savate Federation Vice President Duigou praised Nepal’s successful organization of the event, stating that it had earned the trust of all participating nations and demonstrated that Nepal is capable of hosting other world-class competitions in the future. Nepal Savate Association President Laxman Basnet also thanked all participating athletes for their sportsmanship and everyone who contributed to the event’s success.
Meanwhile, Basnet announced that Indonesia has proposed hosting the 8th Asian Savate Championship.
