Nepal Clinches Team Title at 7th Asian Savate Championship in Dhulikhel

Kathmandu, May 5: Nepal has won the team championship title at the 7th Asian Savate Championship held at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel.

According to the Nepal Savate Association, Nepal secured the top position by winning the highest number of medals, including 31 gold, 20 silver and 30 bronze. India finished second with 18 gold, 27 silver and 22 bronze medals, while Indonesia placed third in the overall standings. Uzbekistan received the Disciplined Team Trophy.

The championship was organised by the Nepal Savate Association from May 1 to 3 with technical and official support from the International Savate Federation and the Asian Savate Confederation. Around 300 athletes from nine countries participated. However, players from Thailand, Iran, Bangladesh and Japan were unable to attend due to last-minute reasons.

In individual awards, Nepal’s Amrita Tamang received the Fair Play Award. Uzbekistan’s Mashrapov Omidillol was named best male player, while India’s Watanpai was declared best female player. Two veteran athletes from New Zealand—58-year-old Barney Vackey and 54-year-old Francis Vesetulu—were honoured with the Veteran Excellence Award under the Himalayan International Open Savate Championship category.

On the final day of the competition, held on Sunday evening, former Assistant Minister Biraj Bahadur Bista, International Savate Federation Vice President Jill Duigou, Nepal Savate Federation President Laxman Basnet, General Secretary Siddhi Byanjankar and other officials distributed medals, trophies and certificates to the winning athletes.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, International Savate Federation Vice President Duigou said Nepal had successfully organised the championship, earning the confidence of all participating countries. He added that the event demonstrated Nepal’s capacity to host international-level sporting competitions in the future.

Nepal Savate Association President Laxman Basnet thanked the athletes for their sportsmanship and expressed gratitude to all individuals and organisations involved in the successful completion of the event.

Basnet also informed that Indonesia has proposed to host the 8th Asian Savate Championship.