Top five achievements of legendary boxer Dingko Singh

The pugilist passed away at the age of 42.

Dingko Singh is widely considered amongst the most outstanding boxers that India has ever produced. Born in Manipur, he was destined to become a champion.

His is a story of a successful spirit. He had to overcome many adversities as a child to find his way to the top of the podium. The boxer was a Master Chief Petty Officer with the Indian Navy. Dingko Singh’s charismatic boxing style brought laurels to the country and inspired several boxers of the upcoming generation.

He managed to win prestigious honours on both the national and international stage, garnering numerous plaudits along the way. Let’s take a look at five of his greatest achievements:

5. Eye-catching performer at the age of 10

Dingko Singh announced his arrival in spectacular fashion. Trainers at the Special Area Games Scheme initiated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) identified his hidden talents. He was trained under the expert supervision of Major O.P. Bhatia, who went onto become the Executive Director of the Teams Wing at SAI.

Even at the tender age of 10, his extraordinary talents were evident. He participated in the Sub-Junior National Boxing Championship held in Ambala in 1989. By the end of the tournament, he was adjudged as the champion. Owing to this achievement, he grabbed the attention of several coaches and selectors.

Eventually, The Indian Navy coaches brought him to Mumbai, the base of the Navy boxing team at INS Hamla, Malad. He began representing Maharashtra in Nationals since he was a part of Mumbai with Maharashtra boxing activity being based in INS Hamla. The youngster then shone at the 1996 and 1997 Nationals in Kolkata and Bengaluru respectively. The lightning-fast boxer had everyone floored with his rarely seen talent. After that, there was no looking back for Dingko Singh.

4. Grabbing the Gold – 1997 King’s Cup

The boxer would make a thumping entry in the international boxing circuit. Dingko Singh travelled to the Thai capital Bangkok for his first-ever international tournament. He took part in the 51kg category event at the 1997 King’s Cup. In his opening match, the then 18-year-old faced Phouthone Soulavanh of Laos. Singh won the match after a fearsome performance, which resulted in the referee having to stop the contest. His quarterfinal opponent was local boy Somrot Kamsing. Yet again, he out-punched the Thai boxer, winning 16-13.

In the semi-finals, Dingko Singh was up against the mighty Gerald Tucker of the US. Tucker had recently trained Floyd Mayweather for his exhibition bout with Logan Paul. However, it was the Indian boxer who showed his qualities in the ring. He overcame Tucker by a score of 13-9. In the summit clash, Russian Ilfat Riaziapov was Singh’s opponent. The Indian boxer crushed Riaziapov 24-13. Therefore, the teenager arrived back home as a champion and the best boxer of the meet in Thailand.

3. Making a nation proud – 1998 Asian Games

Despite his outstanding showings, Dingko Singh was not included in the travelling Indian contingent to the 1998 Asian Games. After the same appeared in newspapers, he threatened to commit suicide. He was eventually included in the squad. He knew that he had a point to prove, but he was in a familiar land, with the 13th edition of the Asian Games taking place in Bangkok.

By then, Singh had shifted to the 54 kg weight division. His first challenge came in the form of Wei Hongtao of China. The Indian comfortably beat his Chinese counterpart 12-6. In the quarterfinal, the referee had to stop the contest after the Indian boxer outclassed Cambodia’s Vireak Svay. Then came a tough challenge against local favourite Sontaya Wongprates of Thailand. Wongprates was a World Cup silver medalist and the World No. 3 at the time. Despite the frenzied home supporters cheering his opponent on, he won the bout 18-14 to progress to the gold medal match.

The final was against World No. 5 Uzbekistan’s Timur Tulyakov, who had beaten the World No. 1 Font Waldemar of Cuba. However, he again came out on top. He had eventually stunned everybody. It was India’s first gold medal in 16 years and sparked jubilant scenes back home. Therefore, Thailand turned out to be Dingko Singh’s favourite hunting ground.

2. National Awards

The Government of India has duly recognized Dingko Singh’s efforts. He won the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1998.

In the year 2013, Singh became the fifth Indian boxer to be conferred the Padma Shri award, the fourth-highest civilian award in the Republic of India.

1. Sparking chain reaction in Indian boxing

Above everything, Dingko Singh will always be India’s boxing hero. His triumphs on the international stage inspired several boxers of the next generation. It is Singh who sowed the seeds and instilled belief among several Indian boxers to compete with the best in the international arena. Mary Kom considers Singh as her true hero and inspiration. Likewise, several others including Vijender Singh and Sarita Devi also idolize him.

His demise at the untimely age of just 42 sent shockwaves around the country on Thursday. It is a massive loss for the Indian sporting fraternity. Rest in Peace Dingko Singh, you will always be a hero among us.

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