Nepal: Differently-able weightlifter fights for national recognition

Apr 03, 2023

Kathmandu (Nepal), Apr 03 (ANI): Nepal's Deepak Khadka spends most of his time in the gymnasium training others as well as preparing himself for the upcoming games. The 27-year-old, right-leg amputee earlier this year had secured third position in the international strength lifting and inclined bench press championship under the 69+ KG physically challenged category. Organized by World Strength Lifting Federation established in 2004, Khadka competed with athletes from 8 different nations in the 69+ KG physically challenged category. Though introduced in the international arena, the Himalayan nation is yet to recognize the category and start it. 15 years back Deepak met with an accident while he was in his mid-teens and in his final year of primary level studies and lost his right leg. After losing a year of academic studies, Deepak struggled and continued his studies and completed his Intermediate level of academics. The starting days of the recovery and reconciliation were not easy for him but then came his friends and supporters who in many ways groomed and supported him to bring a change in his life. Deepak since his early childhood wanted to join the Nepali Army as his father worked in the force. He had dreamt of following in the footsteps of his father but the accident brought a turn in his life. But the end of one dream sprouted another in his mind to join the gym where his friend Sandeep stepped in and started giving him training. He watched a lot of motivational videos, and speeches, and read articles about how physically challenged people are moving ahead in their lives. It's been 15 years since Deepak's life changed out of which half of it he has spent in the gymnasium. Now he is deeply in love with the Colosseum. Apart from preparing himself physically as well as mentally, he is making some earnings while performing as a trainer. On average, he has been earning about 30,000 Nepali Rupees (NRS) on a monthly basis which mainly supports his dietary plans. Now he is aiming to participate in another round of competition that is set to be organized in Dubai in the next six months. He is preparing to win the top position in his category. The young sports enthusiast who chose the sports of bodybuilding and weightlifting as a career wants the government and sports bodies to recognize a category for physically challenged ones as well.