Harka Man Gharti targets Asian Para Games medal

Harka Man Gharti, a 21-year-old Nepal para swimmer who lost both arms in an electrocution accident, is training in Kathmandu for the Asian Para Games in Japan in October.

Gharti is one of four disabled swimmers set to represent Nepal. He qualified after his times at last year's Para Swimming World Series in Japan met the minimum standards for the Asian Para Games.

He will compete in the S5 classification, including the 50-metre freestyle. China's Guo Jincheng holds the men's 50m freestyle record in the category at 29.33 seconds.

Gharti lost both arms a decade ago after an electrocution accident near a hydroelectric project in Baglung district in western Nepal. He began competitive swimming in 2020 and now trains by relying on his legs and torso.

Gharti told AFP that winning a medal was not just a hope but his target. His coach, Subha Shrestha, said his leg power was central to his swimming.

Nepal's para swimming community says athletes often face limited funding, little specialised infrastructure and few competitive opportunities. Nepal has had one Asian Para Games medallist, taekwondo athlete Palesha Goverdhan, who won bronze at the last Games and later won a Paralympic medal.

Gharti has recently completed high school and plans to study computer science. He said swimming is a platform that could help him improve his life and inspire others.