Wushu Player Nima Gharti Magar(at left) with SATV correspondent at SATV's studio. Photo: SATV

Currently, preparations for the 31st International Summer University Games are underway in Chengdu, China. It is a competition under the International University Sports Federation (FISU). This competition, scheduled for 2021 had been postponed due to various obstacles and is going to be held in 2023. Every student athlete from the country and abroad participates in this competition.

Nima Gharti Magar and her friends are participating in the competition representing Nepal in the 31st Summer University Games of Chengdu in the international level of Wushu Games.

Ms. Magar, who has won many titles at the national level and has succeeded in winning gold medals twice in the international sports world, has been giving a very commendable and excellent exhibition.

At the age of 16, Wushu player Nima who won the first gold medal in the 12th South Asian Games, won her second gold medal for Nepal in the 13th South Asian Games.

The interview by SATV with National Wushu player Nima Gharti Magar goes like:

Although it is a national level game, some common people may not know about it. So will you please introduce to our viewer of it first? Also, when and how you got interested in this game.

Wushu is a game from China. Generally 'Wu' means martial and 'Shu' means arts. Overall it is a kind of martial arts game. This game is either hard or soft. It is a game full of contact.

Wushu is a game that can be played by small children to old people. I was active in other sports until I was 14 years old. Nirajan Alemagar, the coach of Ninja Wushu Guan in Lalitpur, was my first coach who has participated in many national and international games.

So,  Yes, seeing his successful career, I was inspired towards this game and meantime my sisters also started encouraging me. At first, I learned wushu as a form of exercise and self-defense and while playing, a thought passed my mind that I need to perform excellent enough to make some great contribution to Nation in the field of wushu.

What are the future goals and plans of Nima who already has won two gold medals at this young age?

I won a gold medal at the tender age of 16 in the 12th South Asian Games held in Shillong, India in 2016. No one thought that I could win gold medal in my first international match.

My first gold would not have been possible without the support of my coach, family and other friends. They have been supporting me in the same way this time as well. So, at the moment, my goal is to put on a great performance and achieve a great result in the upcoming Asian Games.

 First of all, you competing in international sports competitions in China representing your nation without national support is very commendable. How do you feel about not getting support from the nation even when you represent the nation?

Nepal has not been able to prioritize sports. Though Asian Games was guided, but in other games such as the World Championship, Asian Championship, "FISU" which is going to be held in Chengdu, we will have to participate in our own investment. Later the government will have to take the initiative to pay the bill, which is not sure if it will be accepted.

Even though our participation keeps nation's name under limelight, it is sad when the nation does not care and support. So, I would like to draw the attention of the government  for upgrading the level of this game through this interview.

What kind of sport is this 31st International Summer University Games that is being held in Chengdu, China and where and how did you get information about it? Can you please share it to our audience? Also, how many people from Nepal will participate and for which games?

A trip to China for FISU is my first time. I came to know about FISU from my seniors, who had participated in FISU before. I was too young to participate then but now I am old enough and I am also a university student. Therefore, I am participating by fulfilling all the standards and criteria of the game.

Players from different corners of the world participate in the International Summer University Games. Do you feel yourself ready to compete with those global players?

18 members from different sports like wushu, taekwondo, karate, badminton, table tennis and various sports are participating in this FISU. Of course, I am very prepared for this competition. We have practised very hard. So, we are ready. Also, we believe that this will contribute for the preparation of upcoming 14th South Asian Games.