Erika Gurung Makes History With Third Straight Female Player of the Year Win at NSJF Pulsar Sports Award

Karateka Erika Gurung has done it again. At the 23rd NSJF Pulsar Sports Award, she claimed the Female Player of the Year honor for the third year in a row, cementing her place as one of Nepal’s most consistent and celebrated athletes.

The award was presented by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum on Thursday, and Gurung walked away with a Pulsar motorcycle after outperforming a strong field of nominees that included Santoshi Shrestha, Sabitra Bhandari, Sanumaya Thing, and Sabina Shrestha.

A rare three-peat in Nepali sports

Winning once is a milestone. Winning twice signals elite status. Winning three times consecutively puts Erika Gurung in a different class altogether. Her latest victory highlights not just talent, but long-term dominance in a highly competitive sporting landscape.

Karate has become one of Nepal’s most reliable medal-producing sports, and Gurung has been at the center of that rise. Her continued success reflects both personal discipline and the growing strength of Nepal’s combat sports ecosystem.

Strong competition, clear recognition

This year’s nominee list made the result especially notable. Gurung was up against athletes with major followings and strong resumes, including distance runner Santoshi Shrestha and football star Sabitra Bhandari. Still, Gurung’s consistency and impact were enough to secure the award once more.

The win also reinforces how the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award continues to serve as one of Nepal’s most visible stages for celebrating top athletic achievement across disciplines.

Why this win matters

Gurung’s third straight Female Player of the Year title is more than a personal triumph. It is a sign that Nepali athletes in combat sports are earning sustained recognition at the highest level.

For fans, it is also a reminder that excellence is not always defined by one headline performance. In Gurung’s case, it is defined by repeated success, year after year.