{
  "id": 2973415,
  "title": "‘His feet are his pillars’: Nepal para swimmer gives all for Asian glory",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/his-feet-are-his-pillars-nepal-para-swimmer-gives-all-for-asian-glory",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T07:06:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/08/24/his-feet-are-his-pillars-nepal-para-swimmer-gives-all-for-asian-glory"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KATHMANDU: Harka Man Gharti, a 21-year-old Nepali para swimmer, dedicates himself to the water every day, swimming the 25-meter pool in the nation’s capital, Kathmandu. Unlike his able-bodied competitors who rely on arm strokes, Gharti propels himself through the water using his legs and torso, since he lost his arms in an electrocution accident at age 11. This tragedy, rather than ending his dreams, fueled his determination to succeed. He is among three other disabled swimmers representing Nepal in the upcoming Asian Para Games in Japan, aiming for medals despite limited resources in the Himalayan country. Gharti told AFP, \"Just for a medal, I am giving everything... every possible thing.\"\n\nIn 2020, Gharti's interest in competitive swimming grew from a mere experiment to a passion and a career. Medals hang above his bed at the hostel in Kathmandu, celebrating his remarkable journey so far. During training, Gharti focuses on technique and body position, while on race days, he pushes harder, relying solely on his leg power. His coach, Subha Shrestha, believes that Gharti's greatest strength lies in his powerful legs, which compensate for his lost arms. Despite the modest sports facilities in Nepal, Gharti's coach acknowledges his hard work and perseverance, stating, \"His feet are his pillars, his legs are very powerful.\"\n\nGarti's achievements are significant for Nepal's para swimming community, which has only produced one Asian Para Games medallist in taekwondo athlete Palesha Goverdhan, who won bronze at the previous Games and also claimed a medal in the Paralympics. Many Nepali athletes have arrived at major competitions with modest expectations, viewing them as opportunities for participation. However, Gharti and his teammates dream of achieving accomplishments on par with those of able-bodied athletes.\n\nBeyond his swimming career, Gharti has completed high school and plans to study computer science. He controls a computer using his toes, showcasing the same determination that defines his swimming. Gharti's ambitions extend beyond the pool, as he aims to inspire others through his achievements. He believes that only by setting a world record will he prove that his life can be better and motivate others to strive for excellence.",
  "summary": "Unlike the swimmers around him who rely on long strokes of their arms, Harka Man Gharti powers through his legs and torso because he does not have arms.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "‘His feet are his pillars’: Nepal para swimmer gives all for Asian glory",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/his-feet-are-his-pillars-nepal-para-swimmer-gives-all-for-asian-glory-2975189",
        "published": "2026-08-24T07:06:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}