First, a question: who won Nepal’s first international gold medal?

For years, the answer was elusive. With little in the way of a definitive written history of Nepali sport, it lingered in conjecture rather than record.

Clarity came only in 2019, when Nepal hosted the 13th South Asian Games (SAG). As the event unfolded, curiosity resurfaced over who had secured the country’s first gold at the region’s premier multi-sport meet—an answer that would also identify Nepal’s first international gold medallist.

After considerable debate, the conclusion was clear: Baikuntha Manandhar.

Nepal staged the inaugural South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in 1984, winning four gold medals—one in the marathon, two in boxing and one in men’s football. While the marathon is typically scheduled towards the end of major Games, it was the first event decided in that edition. Manandhar’s victory, therefore, earned him the distinction of delivering Nepal’s maiden international gold.

“I won the first gold,” Manandhar later told Nepali media.

A strong favourite, he duly delivered, completing the 42.195km race in 2:27:11. “The whole country was gripped by sport at the time. I was naturally delighted to win that historic gold,” he recalled.

Nepal also claimed silver through Arjun Pandit (2:41:43), while India’s Joginder Singh finished third in 2:50:51.

The second edition followed swiftly in Dhaka in 1985, where Manandhar retained his title in 2:22:07—an improved performance that underlined his dominance. India’s Prem Singh took silver in 2:29:12, with Nepal’s Krishna Bahadur Basnet third in 2:30:20.

It was, however, at the 1987 Games in Kolkata that Manandhar etched his name in history. Clocking 2:15:03, he not only won gold but set a record that still stands—both nationally and across South Asia.

He has often said he would welcome the day it is broken. “I would be happiest if someone surpassed it—especially a fellow Nepali. I am still waiting for that moment,” he has remarked.

That Kolkata triumph completed a hat-trick of marathon golds—an achievement unmatched in Nepali sport. Sri Lanka’s VKL Samarasinghe finished a close second in 2:16:00, pushing Manandhar to his limits, while India’s Swarup Singh took bronze in 2:20:13 in a fiercely contested race.

“At the time, I did not realise I had set a record,” Manandhar said. “I found out later. I never imagined it would take so long to be broken.”

Nearly four decades on, it remains intact.

Khadga Ranabhat, who witnessed the run, still regards it as unforgettable. “He ran superbly that day—that is why the record was possible. Nepali sport may never see another like him,” he said.

Ranabhat believes that with today’s facilities, exposure and coaching, Manandhar could have competed for medals at the Olympic or Asian Games. “He was born to run,” he added, citing the natural rhythm and fluency of his stride.

After Kolkata, Manandhar considered retirement. Yet he returned for the 1989 SAG in Islamabad under pressure, despite limited preparation. He finished third in 2:21:35, behind Sri Lanka’s Samarasinghe (2:19:42) and G Bandula Samarasinghe (2:20:15).

“When the race reached its decisive phase, both Sri Lankans had built a strong lead. I had no chance to catch them,” he recalled.

That bronze, however, does little to dim the lustre of his earlier feats. His three gold medals and the enduring 2:15:03 remain defining landmarks in Nepali sporting history.

Manandhar was Nepal’s first true sporting superstar—his name familiar to generations. With his Kolkata record still untouched in South Asia, his achievement stands as the pinnacle of Nepali athletics.