Additional Information

Start of sporting career
He took up trail running in 1994 and was introduced to cross-country skiing in 2002. (petzl.com, 15 May 2011; myrepublica.com, 17 Feb 2010)

Reason for taking up this sport
He had developed a good reputation as a mountain runner. "After I had won a race the Nepal Olympic Committee called me to their office and asked me to start cross-country skiing. I had never been on skis before, and it took me some time to learn, but my running has helped me a lot." (myrepublica.com, 17 Feb 2010)

Ambitions
To compete at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. "I think there is a very big chance I will finish last. The placing is not important if I can teach young people in Nepal about the Olympic spirit. This spirit is in my heart." (olympictalk.nbcsports.com, 31 Jan 2014; ONS, 02 30 Jan 2014) 

Sporting philosophy / motto
"I compete for the pleasure of discovery on all levels, to meet new people, new places and different cultures. Winning is of little importance." (petzl.com, 15 May 2011) 

Awards
He was Nepal's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2006 and 2010 Olympic Winter Games. (fipna.net, 16 Feb 2010; sports.espn.go.com, 24 Feb 2006) 

General
FROM ASIA TO EUROPE
He was a cook in Nepal for trekking expeditions, when some tourists provided him with enough financial support to get his diploma to become a mountain guide. In 1994 he began to run in trail running competitions which led to him going to compete in Europe. In 1998 he got married and moved to Switzerland. (swissinfo.ch, 16 Jul 2010)

RACE ORGANISER
He runs Dawa Sherpa Races, organising mountain races, mainly in Nepal. He uses the money the business makes to fund humanitarian projects in Nepal, including building schools and rebuilding a medical clinic. (dawasherpa-races.com, 20 Jun 2012) 

Social Media
Hear more from the athlete via their website 1, website 2, Facebook and Facebook.