Dingko Singh passes away

Former India boxer Ngangom Dingko Singh passed away on Thursday after prolonged illness. A Padma Shree awardee, who ended India’s wait of 16 years for Asian Games gold in bantamweight category at 1998 Games in Bangkok, lost his fight to liver cancer, which he was battling since 2017. He was 42.

He must have not done much to himself with regards for winning medals overseas, but has been an inspiration to the GenNext of Indian pugilists with his ring craft and flamboyant personality. Dinko Singh, the bantamweight boxer, the Asian Games gold in the 1998 edition in Bangkok, lost his battle against liver cancer passed away in Imphal hospital on Thursday. Dingko was battling ill-health for a number of years now, starting with liver cancer, for which he was being treated since 2017.

He was 42 and had been fighting the disease since 2017. He is survived by his wife Babai Ngangom, a son and a daughter.

During his battle with cancer, the former bantamweight (54kg) boxer's health woes were compounded by a bout of jaundice and COVID-19 last year.

"Yes, I will win the medal at the Olympics," Dingko had told his correspondent when he returned to Pune after winning the medal, were he was based.

Dingko's gold in the Bangkok Asiad was the first in 16 years for Indian boxing after Kaur Singh's top finish at the regional showpiece's 1982 edition.

Shri Dingko Singh was a sporting superstar, an outstanding boxer who earned several laurels and also contributed to furthering the popularity of boxing. Saddened by his passing away. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti tweeted Prime Minister Narendra ModiSports Minister Kiren Rijiju also offered condolences on his demise along with several Indian boxers, some of whom have only heard tales of his dazzling persona.