Nepali judo is preparing to fare better in the 13th South Asian Games—which is scheduled for December 1-10 in Kathmandu—than what it did in the last edition in India.

Nepal struck a lowly three gold medals when the sub-continental sports meet took place in India in 2016. Judo was one of the only three disciplines to taste gold in India apart from men's football team and wushu (Nima Gharti Magar). Phupu Lhamu Khatri had ended Nepali judo's 21-yead old gold drought in the Games three years ago in India. But Khatri is not in the current national team as she has been banned until 2020 by Nepal Judo Association for disciplinary reasons.

Despite her absence, the judo administration and the coaching team are expecting Nepal to return with much better results than the last edition. Before Khatri's achievement in 2016, Nepali judokas last struck gold in 1995 Games in Madras. Judokas Bir Bahadur Rana, Jit Bahadur Chaudhary and Ramesh Basnet had won the gold medals for Nepal.

"We are expecting five to six gold medals this time," said chief coach Birendra Ranjit, giving reference to Nepal's two gold medals in the South Asian Judo Championships in Kathmandu last year. Apart from two gold medals, Nepal also came close to six more titles only to lose in the finals. "We want all Nepali judokas win at least a medal and we are preparing accordingly," said Ranjit.

The Games will offer 15 gold medals in judo: seven each in male and female weight categories and one in mixed team event. Umesh Magar (U-60kg), Indra Bahadur Shrestha (U-66kg), Sanjip Dangol (U-73kg), Pawan Kumar Shrestha (U-81kg), Rabin Shrestha (U-100kg) and Rajan Joshi (100kg plus) are the current national champions in men's category. They are all training under the supervison of Nepal Judo Association. In the U-90kg division, Sri Ram Makaju replaced champion Suryaman Lama, who is currently in Army's mission abroad.

Sonia Bhatta (U-48kg), Devika Khadka (U-52kg), Manita Shrestha Pradhan (U-57kg), Nirmala Gharti Magar (U-63kg), Nisha Chaudhary (U-70kg), Punam Shrestha (U-78kg) and Aakrit Joshi (78kg plus) are the female champions of the respective weight categories. They are also undergoing rigorous training aimed at the Games.

Shrestha duo Rabin and Indra had won gold for Nepal in the South Asian Judo Championships last year. Indra was pleased with the team's preparation so far. "All the players and coaches are working really hard for the Games," Indra said adding that his only objective is to win gold medal for his country. Along with Manita, he is currently in Taiwan to participate in the Junior Asian Championships and Taiwan Open Championships.

Coach Ranjit, however, rued lack of some essential equipment for training. "Some of the equipment we use in training are almost worn out. We immediately need dummy, crack mat and multi-purpose gymnasium facility if we are to prepare ourselves better," the coach said adding his players were prone to injuries in the absence proper facilities.

The chief coach informed that NJA is coordinating with International Judo Federation to send the Nepali judo team for training to India and China. "The judo team will spend two months abroad in training. We are also planning to send some of the gold medal prospects for further training abroad," said Ranjit, who singled out India as the tough competitors at the Games apart from Pakistan, who have improved a lot in the recent past.

A total of 14 gold medallists—seven each in men's and women's categories—of the eighth National Games were under regular training since May 29. They will be now joined by additional 28 judokas for the closed camp training which begins from Thursday. "From tomorrow, the National Games gold medallists will be joined by silver and best bronze medallists as well in the closed camp," said coach Ranjit.

"We kept just 14 players for training so far due to financial restrictions and resource crunch. But in the closed camp, which will now be supported by the National Sports Council, we have called on the silver and bronze medallists of National Games as well. We have now greater pool to select the best for the impending Games," said Ranjit who has been training players at the multi-purpose covered hall in Naya Bazar.