eenage prodigy Renu Tamang from Nepal is capturing hearts across Asia with her courage, discipline, and extraordinary spirit.
The 16 year old Nepalese, competing at the in K44 – 47 kg category, Asian Youth Para Games, Renu represents not only the strength of Nepal’s youth but also the power of opportunity, belief, and perseverance.
She went on to win her first bronze medal at the AYPG, following the steps of her idol Palesha Goverdhan, Nepal’s first ever Olympic and Paralympic medallist who claimed a bronze at Paris 2024 Games.
A journey shaped by challenges
Born in Kathmandu and raised in a humble household, Renu grew up facing both financial challenges and the reality of living without one hand. Yet she carried a quiet dream: to one day wear Nepal’s colours on an international stage.
Her family worked hard to meet daily needs, and the idea of joining sports training felt far beyond their reach. Still, Renu’s natural interest in taekwondo never faded. Even without proper equipment or space, she practiced kicks and movements at home, imagining herself in a real fight.
A coach who saw her potential
Renu’s turning point came when she met coach Kabiraj Negi Lama, a dedicated para-taekwondo coach who has spent years searching nationwide for young athletes with disabilities.
“It is quite hard to find athletes with disability,” coach Kabiraj explained. “We search in schools and all over Nepal. Many are not interested. But when I found Renu, I was very happy.”
He immediately recognized that Renu possessed rare potential, determination, balance, and heart. He welcomed her into training and guided her step by step. But just few weeks after joining the club, tragedy struck. Renu’s grandmother passed away, and her family brought her back to their hometown far from Kathmandu. With limited communication and distance, Renu disappeared from the training scene for almost six months.
A search fuelled by hope
Despite the silence, Coach Kabiraj never stopped searching for Renu. He sought help from the Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA), asked community leaders, and continued reaching out until he finally located her family.
Her manager and international taekwondo master, Jagan Adhikari, recalled: “After two days of training, her grandmother died. But the coach never gave up looking for her. He contacted the family, and thankfully, they agreed to let her return.”
To reassure them, coach Kabiraj shared the inspiring story of Nepal’s celebrated Parataekwondo star Goverdhan, and how her historic medal has inspired other girls in the nation.
“I was inspired,” coach Kabiraj said. “She looks like Palesha. All athletes were excited when Palesha’s news spread all over Nepal.”
Moved by this, Renu’s family finally agreed to let her return to Kathmandu, this time with full support. The Nepal Taekwondo Association arranged her training, accommodation, and overall well-being, ensuring she could focus completely on her development.
Shining on the international stage
With renewed strength, Renu trained consistently and prepared for the Asian Youth Para Games. In her first match, she displayed stunning performance and discipline, defeating Bangladesh’s Nasrin Aktar with scores of 15-3 and 12-0.
“I am very happy to represent Nepali country; my family are happy today if I can get a medal today,” said Renu.
Her victory was not just a win on the scoreboard, it was a powerful symbol of resilience, representing every barrier she had overcome.
A future full of promise
Today, Renu stands as one of Nepal’s most promising young Para athletes. Her story reflects the dedication of her coaches, the support of sports institutions, and the transformative impact of giving opportunities to young people with disabilities.
“I really hope new athlete join taekwondo and make another history like Palesha Goverdhanand Renu Tamang,” the coach added.
With continuous guidance from coach Kabiraj and the Nepal Taekwondo Association, Renu is now preparing for bigger competitions, aiming one day to stand on the podium of World Championships and Paralympic Games, just like the athletes who inspired her.
Renu is not just fighting matches, she is fighting for her dreams, for her family, and for the pride of Nepal.
