Nepali weightlifters have accumulated 16 medals, including two gold and three silver, at the 13th South Asian Games.

On the final day of the weightlifting competition on Sunday, Nepal bagged one silver and one bronze. The home players competed in 16 out of 20 weight categories and secured medals in each category.

Weightlifters from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan also participated in the competition. It was Bhutan’s maiden participation.

Indian weightlifters won the most number of medals, including nine gold, in the competition, followed by Pakistan with six gold. Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka bagged two gold medals each. Bhutan returned with a bronze medal.

Sanju Chaudhary created history to become the country's first female to win a weightlifting gold with a victory in the 59kg category. Bikash Thapa won the other gold medal in the men’s 89kg class.

Talking to reporters after the competitions on Sunday, Tilak Bahadur Rawal, president of the Nepal Weightlifting Association, expressed pleasure at Nepal's best-ever performance in the tournament. "The Nepali team have improved their performance in the event remarkably," he said.

Nepal had won one gold, 23 silver and 86 bronze medals until the last 12 editions of the Games. Kamal Bahadur Adhikari had bagged the gold medal in 2006. But he settled for a bronze medal at the 13 South Asian Games.

On Sunday, Sagar Bhandari clinched a silver medal in men’s 109kg division, lifting 120kg in snatch and 155kg in clean and jerk.

Pakistani weightlifter Hanjala Dastagir won gold with a total lift of 331kg—150kg in snatch and 181kg in clean and jerk. Mohammad Abdullaha Mumin of Bangladesh won bronze with a total lift of 267kg.

Pakistan's Mohammad Nuha Dastagir won gold in the men’s above 109kg division, lifting a total of 380kg—165kg in snatch and 215kg in clean and jerk. Sri Lankan lifter WPU Charuka took silver for a total 320kg. Nepal’s Pukar Gurung completed the podium with a total lift of 275kg—132kg in snatch and 143kg in clean and jerk.