Nepal's Boxing Team Prepares for 20th Asian Games with Hopes of Ending Medal Drought

Kathmandu. There is a proud history of Nepali boxing players achieving good results in the Asian Games. As the 19th edition of the Asian Games, which has a history of more than seven decades, concluded, Nepal has already won 6 bronze medals in boxing. This is the second biggest sport to bring this success for Nepali sports. Taekwondo has a history of winning 14 medals including one silver in the Asian Games. However, the second most successful sport to bring the best results for Nepal in the Asian Games has been without results in the last three editions. Nepali boxers have not been able to win medals since the 2010 Asian Games. With long-term preparation and good results at the international level in recent times, there is hope that Nepali boxing will win a medal in the upcoming 20th Asian Games. The preparation for this edition was started by then member secretary Tankalal Ghising under the name Mission 2026 immediately after the last Asian Games. With the continuation of that preparation, the players have also gained self-confidence. Team coach Deepak Maharjan also said that the long-term preparation and the historic bronze medal won by Chandrabahadur Thapa in the AIBA World Men's Boxing Championship have encouraged everyone. He believes that the National Sports Council (Rakhep) has also boosted morale by providing good facilities to the players in recent times. He says that although two players took a break from training for a few months during the three years of preparation, others have been training regularly in the national team. He expressed hope of winning medals from other players along with Chandrabahadur. Seven boxers from Nepal for the Asian Games are undergoing training in Guwahati, Assam, India for the 20th Asian Games to be held in Japan. Nepali players will be in a 40-day training at the National Center of Excellence under the Sports Authority of India (SAI). World champion boxers have been produced from there. Coach of the Nepali boxing team Deepak Maharjan expressed hope that the players' self-confidence will increase after training at that place. Excellent Indian coaches will also be involved in the training of Nepali players. He believes that the training will also improve the players' technical skills. Coach Maharjan says that trial matches and skill tests will also be conducted during this period. Nepal's boxing has been without medals in the last three editions of the Asian Games. Nepal won a bronze in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. Deepak Maharjan himself was the medalist in that Asian Games. Deepak, who is currently in the role of coach, has expressed his hope of fulfilling the dream that he could not fulfill through the players. He has the most hope in Chandrabahadur. Because Chandra has already proven himself. Coach Deepak believes that other players will also win medals. He says that all players being fit and motivated is the most important aspect. The 20th Asian Games are starting from October 3rd in Aichi-Nagoya city, Japan. Four male and three female boxers from Nepal will challenge in the Asian Games. Chandrabahadur said that the preparation has been good. Therefore, he expressed confidence that he is optimistic about winning medals as per everyone's expectations. He hopes that the training in India will increase his experience. Chandrabahadur says that playing with fight partners for some time will provide an opportunity to measure his level and improve. He hopes that the training there will encourage all the players. The players are also confident that they will put an end to the 16-year medal-less journey in the Asian Games. For this, all the players have worked very hard. The players are motivated by the presence of coaches who have won medals in the Asian Games. Player Ramisha Shrestha says that they have worked hard with the goal of achieving better results than coach Deepak Maharjan. Ramisha believes that if the players are not hopeful and confident in winning medals in the first phase, they will not be successful. She mentioned that having many sparring partners in India is another important aspect for them. Ramisha believes that training in India, where boxing is doing well, is a good sign. She said that it would be good if the necessary materials for the Asian Games were also available on time along with the preparation. The Nepali team of 9 members including seven players has already reached Assam. Chandrabahadur Thapa in men's 55 kg, Khagendra Rokamagar in 60 kg, Danbahadur Darlami in 70 kg, and Rabin Nepal in 90 kg will compete. Ramisha in women's 51 kg, Asmita Tamang in 54 kg, and Kusum Tamang in 65 kg will compete. The Nepali team is scheduled to travel to Japan from there. Among the seven players, Rabin is playing in the Asian Games for the second time. Rabin competed in the 19th Asian Games. Raj Shrestha is another coach of the Nepali team. Nepal's boxing won medals from the 10th edition held in Seoul, South Korea in 1986. At that time, it won four bronze medals. In the remaining two editions, boxing won medals, saving Nepal from being medal-less. In the 11th edition held in Beijing, China in 1990, Chitrabahadur Gurung, and most recently, Deepak saved them from being medal-less in the 16th edition. Deepak himself is aiming to win medals in a different role as a coach of the team.