Aishwarya won the title for the third time in a row, completing a hat-trick, while this is Ramesh's second title win. They both won the title two years ago. Last year, Ramesh did not win and finished third.
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The ‘wheelchair race’ has been included in the Kantipur Half Marathon from the beginning for those with different physical abilities. In the 14th edition of the competition held on Saturday, Aishwarya Kumal and Ramesh Khatri won the 3 km wheelchair race.
Aishwarya won the title for the third time in a row, making it a hat-trick, while this is Ramesh’s second title win. Two years ago, they were both champions. Last year, Ramesh could not become the winner and came in third place.
Aishwarya from Achham Sanfbagar-7 suffered a back injury while digging red soil six years ago. She spent half a month in the hospital for treatment and months in therapy.
Aishwarya, who lives in Jorpati-based Spinal Cord Injury Network Nepal, not only runs, but also plays basketball and swims. She has already traveled to Thailand to play in an international basketball competition. She is studying in grade 11 at Khagendra Memorial College (KMC) and considers wheelchair racing as her means of income. She said, “The prizes she wins in such races help her to meet her expenses.” She travels by taxi to participate in various running competitions.
For the past three years, Aishwarya has been challenged by Yami Kumari Jhankri Magar of Pyuthan and Rajani Rai of Khotang. While Aishwarya completed the race in 12 minutes 26:99 seconds, Yami completed the race in 13 minutes 30:63 seconds and Rajani completed the race in 15 minutes 50:08 seconds. Yami came second and Rajani came third. They had won in the same place in the last two years as well. Yami is also a five-time winner of this race.
28-year-old Ramesh from Dailekh is an experienced competitor in this wheelchair race. He came sixth when he participated for the first time. He won twice and came third last year. Now he has become the winner again.
His house collapsed in the devastating earthquake of 2072 BS. He used to work in a hotel line in Balaju. He was crushed by a beam when the house collapsed. After being rescued, he spent months in a hospital bed. His life was saved, but half of his body had to be thrown away. He has amputated the part below the knees of both his legs. That is why he now relies on a wheelchair.
He lives in Jorpati. He is associated with the Sundar Dhoka Sathi organization. The organization has been working for people with different abilities. Ramesh does the same wheelchair repairing work. Ramesh said, ‘When we have games like this, we get motivated. Even just participating gives us excitement. If we can come first or second, we can earn some money from the prizes. We are happy.’ Ramesh is also a swimmer. The winner of the wheelchair race received a gift voucher worth Rs 35,000, FMTC Rs 10,000 and KFC Rs 5,000. The second place winner received Rs 25,000 and FMTC Rs 7,000, and the third place winner received Rs 15,000 and FMTC Rs 5,000.
