Kajal Shrestha, a taekwondo gold medalist from the 13th South Asian Games (SAG), has become Nepal‘s youngest international taekwondo referee. Shrestha, who plays for the Tribhuvan Army Club, achieved this feat at the 126th International Gyorogy Referee Seminar organized by World Taekwondo.
After passing the international referee course, 26-year-old Shrestha said that she became the youngest referee in Nepal in taekwondo.
“I am very happy to have become an international referee,” Shrestha said. “It was a lot of hard work and dedication, but it was all worth it in the end.”
Shrestha’s new role as an international referee will allow her to officiate at taekwondo competitions at the SAG and Asian Games levels.
“I am excited to start this new chapter in my career,” Shrestha said. “I am looking forward to officiating at some of the biggest taekwondo competitions in the world.”
Shrestha is a fourth dan black belt and has competed in some of the biggest taekwondo tournaments in the world, including the 10th Junior World Championship in Taiwan in 2014 and the World Taekwondo Championship in Azerbaijan last year.
In 2019, Shrestha won gold in the 46 kg weight category at the 13th SAG, which was held in Nepal.
Shrestha’s achievement is a major boost for taekwondo in Nepal. She is an inspiration to young taekwondo players in the country and her success shows that Nepal can produce world-class taekwondo athletes and officials.
“I am proud to represent Nepal on the world stage,” Shrestha said. “I hope that my achievement will inspire other Nepalese athletes to achieve their dreams.”
Shrestha’s success is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and talent. She is a role model for young athletes in Nepal and around the world.