Kathmandu: Palesha Govardhan has made history by winning Nepal's first-ever medal at the Paralympics, securing a bronze in the women's under 57 kg Taekwondo event (K-44 category) at the Paris Paralympics 2024.

Palesha clinched the bronze by defeating Serbia's Marija Michev with a score of 15-8 in a highly anticipated match. This remarkable achievement marks the first time a Nepali athlete has won a medal at the Paralympics.

Her journey to the podium was marked by an impressive start, as she dominated Venezuela's Valeria Morales with a resounding 31-0 victory in the first round, advancing to the quarterfinals. Although she faced a narrow 10-8 defeat against Brazil's Silvana Fernandez in the quarterfinals, Palesha earned a second chance through the repechage round, where she triumphed over France's Sefi Carvajnelle by 2-1.

Palesha's accomplishment is not only a milestone for Nepal in the Paralympics but also a testament to her dedication and skill. She began her Taekwondo journey at the age of 10 and joined Nepal's Para national team in 2016, going on to win medals in various international competitions. Nepal has been participating in the Paralympics since the 2004 Athens Games, but Palesha is the first to bring home a medal.