KATHMANDU, June 25: Nepal's weightlifting head coach and former Olympian Sunil Lal Joshi has died on Sunday. He was 53. 

Joshi, who holds the record of winning highest number of international medals among Nepali players, died at Sahid Gangalal Hospital, Bansbari, in course of treatment. He was taken to the hospital on Thursday after he complained of respiratory problems. 

The former veteran Nepali weightlifter who represented Nepal in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 won 17 international medals including 14 in South Asian Games (SAG). Joshi had bagged five silver and nine bronze medals from the first seven editions of SAG. 

He also had participated twice in the Asian Games and thrice in Asian championships.

Under Joshi's coaching, Nepali weightlifters had bagged three bronze medals in 8th SAG while Nepal won one silver alongside three bronze medals in 12th SAG. 

Joshi's body was kept at Dasharath Stadium Sunday morning where Acting Secretary of the Ministry for Youth and Sports Gyanraj Subedi, National Sports Council (NSC)'s Vice-president Lama Tendi Sherpa, officials of different sports associations, Olympians, players among others paid tribute. His body was cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat on Sunday.   Joshi is survived by a son and his wife. 

 
• national weightlifting team
 
• sunil lal joshi
 
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