Asian gold medallist Dingko Singh no more

Dingko
Dingko Singh

One of the sporting icons of northeast Dingko Singh who won gold in the 1998 Asian Games passes away on June 10. He was 42.

Dingko, who ended India’s 16-year wait for an Asian Games boxing victory in the bantamweight division in Bangkok, was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2017.

“I’m shocked and deeply saddened by the demise of Shri N Dingko Singh earlier in the morning today. A Padma Shri awardee, Dingko Singh was one of the most outstanding boxers Manipur has ever produced. My sincere condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace,” said Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said on Twitter.

After his gold medal in the Asian Games, Dingko inspired many to take up boxing. Champion boxers like Mary Kom and L Sarita Devi among others.

“Oja, Dingko Ngangom, you were my inspiration, my childhood hero. It breaks my heart into pieces that you are gone too soon. Your memory will never leave us and live long in our hearts. #Heartbroken,” Sarita wrote on her social media handles.

Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju also paid tribute to the pugilist.

“I’m deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Dingko Singh. One of the finest boxers India has ever produced, Dinko’s gold medal at 1998 Bangkok Asian Games sparked the Boxing chain reaction in India. I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family. RIP Dinko,” Rijiju tweeted.

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