Keshary Chaudhary-the hope of Athletics

Keshary Chaudhary has established herself as the promising women athlete of the nation. She is the name that got the rare opportunity to participate in national and international games from three different sports discipline.

Chaudhary, who hails from Baniyavar of Bardiya district, had also pursued her career at the cricket and volleyball and now had recognized herself as the athletics players. 

Born from the father Jagatram Tharu and mother Suganiya Tharu, the 21-year-old started her career in national sports when she was the student at the Angles School, Nepalgung. She stepped in athletics eight years ago and in her first participation she set the national record in her name.

Under the instruction of coach Chandra Bahadur Gurung, Chaudhary set the national record in women’s high jump in 2062BS with 1.40m jump. She then took part in the 35^th National Athletic Championship, where she not only bettered her high jump record but also won the gold in triple jump with 9.96m national record.

Since then whenever she takes part in athletics tournament, national records will always be at stake. When she represented Nepal Police in the 5^th National Games, Chaudhary grabbed five gold medals.

After becoming dominant figure in the long jump, high jump and triple jump, She tried in women’s 100m hurdles for the first time in the 38^th National Athletics Championship held on April.

But there too she came up with national record-breaking feat in her maiden run. She also bettered her national records in Long jump and triple jump. “I am delighted to set the national records one after another. Moveover, the hurdle event was new for me and it was amazing to run for the national record in the first participation.” Chaudhary was grateful to her coach Nar Bahadur Shahi who prepared her for hurdles.

Till now Chaudhary had unsettled the national records for eight times in high jump, seven times in triple jump and five times in long jump.

It is not only athletics that she scintillates at. Cricket was another domain, where she impressed with her pace bowling and batting charm in order to register significant achievement for Nepali women cricket team.

During her student life, she also had her brief stint with volleyball game. She played from Mid-Western in the National Games. Her team satisfied at the third position after losing to her current club Nepal Police. “By then we were very young compared to Police’s mature team,” recalls Chaudhary.  

She was the member of the national cricket squad in the first edition of ACC Women’s Championship held in Malaysia in 2007 and the ACC Women’s U-19 Championship held in Thailand in 2008. Her 10-wicket haul in the ACC U-19 was unforgettable as Nepali eaves clinched the title. Nepal, in their first international participation, finished runners up in Women’s Championship.

The all rounder cricketer, who was spotted by cricket coach Sunil Hamal and played from Region No. 5 Nepalgunj, took not more than couple of years to be in the national team. After helping her regional team dictates the women’s national cricket tournament, Chaudhary was included in the close camp of National team.

The multi talented player joined Nepal Police Club in 2009 as an athlete and joined police service officially two years back. After joining Police, her cricket career was almost over. In the 5^th National Games, she wanted to take part in Athletics from Police Club and give continuity to her regional cricket team but the regulation did not allowed her to take part from two different teams. So, she opted for the police team giving up her cricket dream.

Chaudhary had the chance to give continuity to her cricket when she was called for ACC Women T-20 close camp in 2066BS. By then she was also selected for World Athletics Championship to be held in Germany and was unable to take part in the cricket close camp. But to her bad luck, she was denied with the visa to Germany.

 Chaudhary presently is not thinking about her cricketing career but will have her second thought when Police Club will form a women’s cricket team. "I´m not pursuing a cricketing career now since Nepal Police Club does not have a women´s cricket team. If the club makes cricket team, then I will certainly play.”

Chaudhary has emerged herself as the future hope of national women’s athletics. Following the success in domestic track and field, she targets to win international medals. "I can do much better in triple jump event and hope for international success. However, everything depends on the preparation facilities," said Chaudhary.

Despite of her success in hurdles and long jump, Sushil Narsingh Rana, the chief-coach of athletics at National Sports Council suggested her only to focus on triple jump and high jump. "We can expect international successes from her if she focuses in triple jump and high jump only," he said.

As the previous results were poor, Chaudhary has been able to set new records which are not close to any South Asian medalists, informed Rana.  “However, we cannot overlook her natural talent in athletics. She is also technically sound."