Nepal’s Goverdhan reflects on “wild rollercoaster” since making Paralympic history

Claiming a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games has been “a total game changer for Para taekwondo athlete Palesha Goverdhan.

“Suddenly I’ve got fans, followers and people recognising me in the street – it’s wild,” Goverdhan said, having taken bronze in the women’s K44 -57kg category at the iconic Grand Palais to become the first Olympic or Paralympic medallist in Nepal’s history.

“I even got to meet a ton of celebrities, had a chat with my country’s prime minister, and gave more interviews than I can count.

“But here’s the kicker: just as things were hitting their peak, I had to pack my bags and fly back to China, where I’m pursuing my bachelor’s degree in architecture. Yep, no time for a ‘wow’ victory lap because the grind never stops. But that one week back home after Paris was absolutely insane – non-stop events, love, and chaos. Something I’ll never forget.”G

Defying the doubters

Now 21, Goverdhan’s path to history began at school when she was 10-year-old. Born without a left palm, she took up taekwondo as a pastime. But she instantly discovered an aptitude and appetite for it, becoming part of Nepal’s fledgling Para taekwondo team in 2016.

Regional success followed before, at the age of 18, she was selected for Tokyo 2020, where Para taekwondo was included on the Paralympic sports programme for the first time.

“I never planned to compete in Tokyo. My eyes were always set on Paris 2024,” she said. Goverdhan said she “didn’t even know how to process it” when she discovered that she could compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, which were held in 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For two months, she focused on her training, giving everything she had. Competing in the women’s -58kg K44 division at Tokyo 2020, she advanced to the bronze medal match but lost to China’s Yujie Li 12-9.

“Losing the bronze medal match by just three points was absolutely devastating,” Goverdhan said.

“Sure, people noticed me because I was the first Nepali to win two matches in either the Olympics or Paralympics, but I could still hear the whispers, the taunts: ‘She lost.’ ‘She couldn’t do it.’ It made my blood boil.

“My team and I kept pushing – not for money, not for fame, but for Nepal. We wanted to put even one medal on that table, to show the world we belong.”

Palesha Goverdhan made history at the Paris 2024 #Paralympics as she became the FIRST ever medal winner for Nepal, at both the Paralympic and Olympic Games. Palesha won a historic bronze in #ParaTaekwondo.🇳🇵🥉

Her homecoming last week was greeted by huge crowds in Kathmandu. pic.twitter.com/4iN4K4uwya

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) September 16, 2024

Making history for Nepal

She made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, defeating Serbia’s Marija Micev 15-8 in the bronze medal match. She celebrated on the mat, embracing the special moment in front of a vocal crowd at the Grand Palais.

“When I started taekwondo at 10, I was heartbroken to learn no one from Nepal had ever won an Olympic or Paralympic medal,” said Goverdhan, who was Nepal’s flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony in the Stade de France.

“People told me it was impossible, laughed when I said I’d do it. But guess what? Here I am, standing proud with Nepal’s first-ever medal. Who’s laughing now?”

Yet, as Goverdhan admits, Paris 2024 “wasn’t a walk in the park”.

“I was studying in China, training alone, juggling the Asian Games and qualification matches without a coach or support system. Things were going smoothly – I even won a medal at the Asian Games,” she said.

“I took my spot for Paris 2024 not because they gave it to me, but because I earned it. Lesson learned: never doubt the one who’s been fighting her whole life. I’m here to show the world what Nepal is capable of. You can laugh, you can doubt, but I’ll keep winning.”

Goverdhan even won her bronze-medal match the hard way, recovering from 3-0 and 5-4 down to defeat 2019 world silver medallist Micev of Serbia, ending the bout with four consecutive body kicks.

The future: warrior, artist, role model

Reflecting on her success in Paris, Goverdhan looks beyond sporting success.

“I believe my success has done more than just put me in the spotlight – it has shifted mindsets,” she said.

“It’s shown people, especially athletes, that anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard and give it your all. What’s even more exciting is that we’re now seeing new athletes training in Para taekwondo alongside us.

“It feels amazing to know I’ve inspired others to dream big and chase those dreams.”

 How does she balance all this with her studies, though?

“Oh, it’s no walk in the park, trust me. I started juggling it all when I was really young, and yes, it’s tough,” Goverdhan, who is in her second year of her bachelor’s studies, said.

"You miss out on a lot, but I’ve learned that to gain something extraordinary, you have to make sacrifices. It’s not just physical work – it’s mental, too. Honestly, there are days when I feel completely drained.

“It’s like I have two personalities. When I step into the taekwondo arena, I become this brave, fierce warrior. But when I’m doing art or architecture, I turn into a calm, peaceful soul. It’s funny when I think about it. I’m like two completely different people!

But she enjoys going back and forth between her two personalities.

“When studies start feeling overwhelming, I take a break and train. When taekwondo gets exhausting, I dive back into my books and sketches. It’s like giving myself a reset button every time I switch gears.

Following the success and excitement of 2024, she is now looking forward to what the new year will bring. 

“2024 was a rollercoaster, no doubt about it. It started with doubts, challenges, and a whole new chapter of my life in China.

“But look where it led – I won medals, including the biggest medal ever for my country! It was about pushing limits, embracing the grind, and enjoying the sweetest victory Nepal has ever tasted. It was tough, exciting, and unforgettable all at once.”