Asian Games: Nepal still chasing elusive gold after 75 years

Nepal's long journey in the Asian Games continues, marked by a persistent quest for a gold medal. Since its debut in 1951, the nation has participated in 17 editions, accumulating a modest tally of three silver and 23 bronze medals, but gold remains elusive.

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From the first Asian Games in 1951 to the 19th edition in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, Nepal has competed in 17 editions.

As Nepal gears up for its 20th appearance at the upcoming Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the country plans to field a contingent of 137 athletes across 22 sports. This marks a significant commitment to the continental event, which is expected to host over 11,000 athletes from 45 countries.

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Yet despite its long association with the Asian Games, Nepal’s medal tally remains modest: three silver and 23 bronze medals.

The nation's history at the Games is a story of gradual progress and near misses. After waiting 35 years for its first medal, a bronze in taekwondo by Bidhan Lama at the 1986 Seoul Games, Nepal experienced its most successful edition that year, securing eight bronze medals in total. The journey continued with sporadic bronze medals in subsequent Games, until 1998 when taekwondo athlete Sabita Rajbhandari achieved a historic silver in Bangkok, the highest individual medal for Nepal in taekwondo at the Games.

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No Nepali athlete has won an Asian Games gold medal.

Despite the continued success in taekwondo, with multiple bronze medals won in Busan (2002) and Doha (2006), the ultimate prize – a gold medal – has yet to be claimed. The upcoming Games in Japan present another opportunity for Nepali athletes to break this long-standing barrier.

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The wait finally ended at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, South Korea.