Tenzing Sherpa Wins Bronze, Gives Nepal First Medal at Asian Games 2026

Nepali karate athlete Tenzing Sherpa has won a bronze medal at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, giving Nepal its first medal of the 2026 Asian Games.

Sherpa secured the bronze in the men’s kumite +84kg category after defeating Laos’ Xayasan Vatthana 9–1 in the bronze-medal bout at Toyohashi Gymnasium.

Sherpa Delivers When Nepal Needed a Medal

Tenzing entered the competition as Nepal’s remaining medal hope after several other Nepali karate athletes had been eliminated from their respective events.

He reached the semifinal after his quarterfinal opponent from Macau was disqualified following four warnings. In the semifinal, Sherpa lost 5–0 to Iran’s Mahmoud Nemati.

That result sent him into the bronze-medal contest, where he produced a dominant performance against Laos’ Vatthana and won 9–1.

Nepal Opens Its Medal Account

The bronze medal became Nepal’s first medal at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

Tenzing’s achievement also added another chapter to Nepal’s history in Asian Games karate. According to reports, he became the fifth Nepali karate athlete to win an Asian Games medal.

Nepal had previously won karate medals through athletes including Sita Rai, Samar Bahadur Gole, Bimala Tamang and Arika Gurung.

A Proud Moment for Nepali Karate

Tenzing Sherpa’s medal is significant for Nepal’s international sporting campaign because it came at one of Asia’s biggest multi-sport events.

The 23-year-old karateka, who represents Nepal APF Club, has now added an Asian Games bronze medal to his international achievements.

Nepal’s karate team also competed in the Shitoryu Karate-Do International Championship in Yokohama after the Asian Games. The Nepali team returned home with six medals from that competition, including two gold, one silver and three bronze.

Tenzing Sherpa’s Message to Nepal

After winning the medal, Sherpa said he wanted to dedicate his achievement to his family, coaches, teammates and supporters.

His bronze medal has given Nepal another memorable moment on the international sports stage and highlighted the growing presence of Nepali athletes in Asian competition.

Key Facts (Tenzing Sherpa Asian Games 2026)

• Athlete: Tenzing Sherpa
• Sport: Karate
• Event: Men’s Kumite +84kg
• Competition: 20th Asian Games
• Host: Nagoya, Japan
• Medal: Bronze
• Bronze-medal opponent: Xayasan Vatthana, Laos
• Score: 9–1
• Semifinal: Lost 5–0 to Mahmoud Nemati of Iran
• Significance: Nepal’s first medal at the 2026 Asian Games

Tenzing Sherpa’s bronze has once again put Nepal on the Asian Games medal table and given Nepali sports fans a moment to celebrate on the international stage.