Nepali martial arts athlete Sanjeet Kumar Rai delivered a stunning performance at the WMC (World Martial Arts Council) Wales Open Championship 2024, held on November 24 at the EBBW Vale Leisure Center South Wales, UK. Competing in two separate events, Rai secured one gold medal and one silver medal, further cementing his reputation as one of Nepal’s most accomplished international martial arts competitors. The championship drew participation from approximately 450 athletes, making his double-podium finish all the more remarkable.
In the Creative Forms Mixed Blackbelt Soft Style category, Sanjeet claimed gold with an impressive score of 26.7 points. He then went on to earn silver in the Traditional Forms Mixed Blackbelt category, scoring 26.4 points — a performance that demonstrated his versatility and technical precision across multiple disciplines. The back-to-back medal wins in a single international event highlight his growing stature on the global martial arts circuit.
This achievement marks Sanjeet’s fifth international medal, adding to a distinguished career that includes a gold and bronze at the World Martial Arts Games 2022 in Slovenia, and a gold at the Battle of the Dragon Martial Arts Championships 2024 in New Jersey, USA. He has also won two gold medals across two categories at the National Uma Kung Fu Championships, and has served as a judge at international competitions in India, Austria, and Germany, showcasing his authority both as an athlete and as a referee.
Following his remarkable podium finish at the WMC Wales Open Championship, Sanjeet Kumar Rai was celebrated by the Nepali diaspora community in the United Kingdom. The Kirat Rai Yakthung UK (YUKEMA) chapter, led by President Asha Rai and General Secretary Rajen Ramjad Rai, organized a formal felicitation ceremony to recognize his achievement of bringing national pride to Nepal from the WMC Wales Open. Representatives from NRNA UK (Non-Resident Nepali Association UK), led by President Hitakaji Gurung and General Secretary Govind Kharel, also honored Sanjeet with a certificate of appreciation at the event. The event was widely covered by Nepali media including Nepal Samachar Patra and Gorkhapatra.
