Nepal celebrated a historic achievement as Palesha Goverdhan, the country's first-ever Paralympic medalist, received a hero's welcome upon her return home on Wednesday. Goverdhan, a 21-year-old taekwondo star, won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, marking a significant milestone for Nepal, which has never before won a medal at either the Paralympics or the Olympics.

In a statement on social media prior to her arrival in Kathmandu, Goverdhan expressed her pride in achieving this victory for Nepal, emphasizing the dedication and hard work that led to her success. The reception at Kathmandu's airport was jubilant, with traditional music, an army band, and crowds of supporters celebrating her return. She was draped in the national flag, marigold garlands, and traditional Buddhist scarves as she emerged to the cheers of the gathered crowd.

Among the supporters were many young taekwondo athletes, including 13-year-old Nandani Adhikari, who expressed her pride and inspiration, stating that Goverdhan's victory felt like a collective achievement for the nation.

Goverdhan's bronze medal came in the women's K44-57kg para taekwondo category, where she defeated Serbia's Marija Micev 15-8. Born with a congenital limb deficiency on her left hand, Goverdhan began practicing martial arts at the age of 10. Her father, Pradeep Goverdhan, shared how her coach recognized her talent early on and encouraged her to train professionally, leading to her remarkable achievements.

Her success has not only brought pride to her family but has also highlighted the potential of para athletes in Nepal, where para sports have often been underfunded and overlooked. Sugam Bhattarai, from Nepal's National Federation of the Disabled, expressed hope that Goverdhan's victory would lead to increased investment and support for para sports in the country.

Goverdhan has a history of making strides in the sport, having finished fifth at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and winning bronze at the 2022 Asian Para Games—the first Nepali athlete to do so. She also secured a gold medal at the Asian Youth Para Games in 2021 and a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Para Taekwondo Championship in Vietnam. Her journey serves as a powerful inspiration for many, symbolizing perseverance and national pride.