Kabiraj Negi Lama, born 20 September 1989 in Dandakharka, Makwanpur is a prominent figure in Nepalese Para Taekwondo, known for his role as a coach and his substantial contributions to the sport in Nepal. He has been instrumental in shaping the success of Nepal’s Para Taekwondo athletes on the global stage, leading the team to win 11 international official medals, including 3 gold, 2 silver, and 6 bronze. As a former Taekwondo player himself, he transitioned into coaching and has since become the head coach of the Nepal National Para Taekwondo Team for both the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics and the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympics.

Early Life and Background

Kabiraj was born in the village of Dandakharka, Makwanpur, and is the grandson of the former minister Tilak Bahadur Negi Lama. His early exposure to sports led him to Taekwondo, where he quickly rose through the ranks, representing Nepal in various competitions.

Career as an Athlete

In 2009, Kabiraj won the gold medal in the 9th Jeju International Sports for All Taekwondo Championships in the Poomsae category in South Korea. This achievement marked him as a promising talent in the sport and set the stage for his future endeavors as a coach.

Coaching Career

Kabiraj holds a 6th Dan Black Belt from both Kukkiwon South Korea and the Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA), awarded in 2023. As an International Para Taekwondo Coach, he earned his International Coach Certificate and Para Taekwondo Level-II License from World Para Taekwondo in December 2020. He has been serving as the Team Coach of the National Para Taekwondo Team, Nepal Taekwondo Association, since 2015, leading the team to numerous victories and international recognition.

Milestones in Coaching

• 2016: Coached the team at the 20th Asian Cities Taekwondo Championship in Hong Kong, China. Participated in a Para Taekwondo Course in Muju, South Korea.
• 2017: Led the team at the 3rd Asian Para Taekwondo Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea, where athlete Ranjana Dhami won a bronze medal in the Kyorugi (K-44) category.
• 2019: Coached at the 8th World Para Taekwondo Championships in Antalya, Turkey, where Bikram Shrestha won a bronze medal. Participated in a Para Taekwondo Training Camp in Miki City, Japan.
• 2021: His athlete Palesha Goverdhan won gold, Shrijana Ghising took silver, and Bishal Garbuja earned bronze at the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games. As a coach, he led Nepal’s para team to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics, where Palesha won repechage matches against competitors from the United States and Serbia.
• 2022: Coached at the Para 4th WT President’s Cup Asian Region Taekwondo Championships in Tehran, Iran, where Shrijana Ghising won silver. Participated in the Sharjah Qualification Tournament for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, where Ranjana Dhami won bronze.
• 2023: Coached Palesha Goverdhan to a bronze medal at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, marking the first time a Nepali para athlete won a medal in the event.
• 2024: Coached in the Asian Qualification Tournament for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in Tai’an, China, where Palesha Goverdhan won gold, qualifying for the Paris Paralympics. At the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympics, Palesha won a historic bronze medal, making it Nepal’s most significant achievement in international Para Taekwondo.

Awards and Nominations

1. NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards 2078: Nominated as the Best Coach of the Year by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) on 7 March 2023.
2. NOC Best Coach Male 2022: Awarded by the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) on 23 June 2023, recognizing his contributions to the development of Para Taekwondo in Nepal.
3. Best Taekwondo Coach Award 2024: Presented by the Nepal Taekwondo Association on 20 April 2024 in Sauraha Chitwan, honored by Minister of Youth and Sports Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and NTA President Prakash Shamsher Rana.
4. NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards 2080: Nominated again as the Best Coach of the Year by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum on 13 September 2024.

Achievements as Para Taekwondo Coach

Kabiraj Negi Lama’s journey as an athlete and coach has been one of resilience, dedication, and a passion for empowering others. His influence on Nepal’s Para Taekwondo scene has been profound, inspiring many to pursue excellence in sports, regardless of physical challenges.