Once a Historic Gold Medalist for Nepal, Shrijana Ghising Is Now Making History and Winning Gold for Australia

KATHMANDU, September 18, 2026

From Nepal’s Historic Champion to Australia’s Gold Medallist

Former Nepali para taekwondo champion Shrijana Ghising, 26, who once delivered a historic international gold for Nepal, is now winning medals for Australia after moving there in 2023 and becoming an Australian citizen in June 2026. Most recently, Ghising won gold for Australia at the 2026 World Taekwondo Para Grand Prix in Muju, South Korea, defeating four highly ranked opponents without losing a round, as she now works toward her goal of representing Australia at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

Her International Journey Began With Nepal

Before becoming a world-level champion, Ghising was already collecting international medals for Nepal.

At the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain, she won silver in the women’s −52 kg category. Nepal had an impressive para taekwondo campaign at the event, with Palesha Goverdhan winning gold and Bishal Garbuja taking bronze alongside Ghising’s silver.

Ghising followed that performance with another silver medal at the 2022 WT President’s Cup Asian Region Para Taekwondo Championships in Tehran, Iran.

Those early results established her as one of Nepal’s most promising para taekwondo athletes.

Historic Gold for Nepal in Riyadh

Ghising’s biggest breakthrough for Nepal arrived at the 2022 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Competing in the women’s −52 kg category, she defeated the world’s top three ranked fighters on her way to gold.

Her campaign ended with an impressive 12-0 victory over Türkiye’s Meryem Cavdar, who was the reigning world champion and world No. 1.

World Taekwondo described the achievement as the first time an athlete from Nepal had won gold at a major international event.

It was a defining moment in Ghising’s career and made her one of Nepal’s leading international para athletes.

A Move to Australia Changed Her Journey

In 2023, Ghising travelled to Australia and eventually decided to build a new life there.

She has spoken about experiencing greater acceptance in Australia, particularly as a person with a disability. What began as a visit eventually became her new home.

Ghising spent around two years in Burnie, Tasmania, before moving to Melbourne to further pursue her taekwondo career.

Gold Medals Followed in Australia

Ghising continued competing at a high level after moving abroad.

In 2025, she won gold at the Australian Open, competing in the K44 women’s −52 kg category.

She also captured gold at the 2025 WT President’s Cup Oceania, where official competition results list her as the champion in the K44 women’s −47 kg category.

Her performances helped establish her as an important athlete within Australia’s growing para taekwondo program.

Australia Recognized Her Rise

Ghising’s progress was also recognized away from individual tournaments.

Australian Taekwondo named her the 2025 Janine Watson Para Athlete of the Year, making her the inaugural recipient of the award.

By then, her ambition of reaching the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games was already becoming a central part of her sporting journey.

Australian Citizenship Fast-Tracked

Ghising officially became an Australian citizen in June 2026 at a citizenship ceremony in Melbourne.

Her citizenship application was expedited under special provisions of Australia’s Citizenship Act, with authorization from Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, allowing her to compete internationally for Australia.

Shortly afterward, Ghising began representing her new country in international competition.

First International Medal for Australia

One of Ghising’s first international appearances representing Australia came at the 2026 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge in Gangwon-Chuncheon, South Korea.

She won silver, marking an early international medal in Australian colours.

But an even bigger result was still to come.

Four Matches, Four 2-0 Victories

In September, Ghising competed at the 2026 World Taekwondo Para Grand Prix in Muju, South Korea and produced a dominant run to the gold medal.

She won all four matches 2-0, meaning she did not lose a single round during the tournament.

Her path to gold included victories over:

• World No. 11 Kizlarkhon Isomiddinova of Uzbekistan

• World No. 1 Claudia Romero of Mexico

• World No. 6 Zakia Khudadadi of France

• World No. 2 Khwansuda Phuangkitcha of Thailand

Khudadadi and Phuangkitcha were both Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallists.

Australia’s First Para Grand Prix Gold

Ghising’s victory in Muju was not only another major achievement in her own career.

It gave Australia its first-ever gold medal at a World Taekwondo Para Grand Prix.

Australian Taekwondo described the result as a new benchmark for the country’s para taekwondo program.

It was also Australia’s first gold at a major World Taekwondo para event since Steven Currie won World Championship titles in 2010 and 2013.

A Very Different Beginning in Nepal

Ghising’s international success stands in sharp contrast to the difficult circumstances she experienced before reaching the top level.

According to reports, she once worked breaking stones for a living before establishing herself in para taekwondo.

Her former Nepal coach Kabiraj Negi Lama, who coached her during her historic 2022 campaign, described her as an exceptionally strong and skilled athlete.

Lama has said Nepal failed to provide Ghising with the platform and facilities she deserved.

Her Departure Raises a Bigger Question

Ghising’s move has also renewed discussion about Nepali athletes leaving the country in search of stronger sporting and economic opportunities.

Her former coach fears she may not be the last.

Nepali athletes from football, volleyball and other sports have moved overseas in recent years, while another Nepali para taekwondo athlete, Bharat Singh Mahata, who competed at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, has also left Nepal.

The trend raises a wider question about whether Nepal can provide athletes with enough facilities, financial security, professional opportunities and long-term support to continue their careers at home.

From Riyadh to Muju, Now LA28

Ghising’s international journey has now produced medals for two countries.

She won silver for Nepal at the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games, silver at the 2022 WT President’s Cup Asian Region, and then made history with gold at the 2022 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix Finals.

After moving to Australia, she added gold medals at the 2025 Australian Open and WT President’s Cup Oceania, followed by a major breakthrough in September 2026 with Australia’s first World Taekwondo Para Grand Prix gold.

Her next major target is clear: Los Angeles 2028.

The athlete who once made history wearing Nepal’s colours is now hoping to reach the Paralympic podium representing Australia.