Former India boxer and Asian Games gold medalist Dingko Singh passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was 42 years old and had been battling the disease since 2017. Considered one of the best boxers in India, Dingko won a gold medal at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games. At the same time, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju took to Twitter to pay tribute to Dingko Singh and tweeted, "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 the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games sparked the Boxing chain reaction in India. I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family. RIP Dinko."
Meanwhile, India's professional boxing superstar Vijender Singh also paid tribute to the former boxer and tweeted, "My sincerest condolences on this loss May his life's journey & struggle forever remain a source inspiration for the upcoming generations. I pray that the bereaved family finds the strength to overcome this period of grief & mourning #dinkosingh."
Significantly, Dingko Singh tested positive for COVID-19 in May 2020, but he fought through and recovered. In April last year, he had undergone radiation therapy at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), Delhi in January 2020 before returning to Imphal. After his condition deteriorated in April, Dingko was airlifted to the same hospital before being discharged. Meanwhile, he had also contracted jaundice. Dingko was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1998 and the nation's fourth-highest civilian honour- Padma Shri in 2013. He is the role model for many star boxers like Mary Kom.
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