His dream of competing in international competition was dashed earlier as his finger got fractured while training in Italy´s Assisi prior to the Boxing World Championships Milan 2009.
Now he has the opportunity to make up for the missed opportunity. Moreover, the SAG is going to be a cakewalk compared to the world championship.
“Dinesh is Nepal´s number one boxer,” said National Sports Council (NSC)´s chief boxing coach Prachanda Sharma.
Another boxer Rajan Shilpakar (75 kg), who participated in the international event held in September last year, has not been included in the boxing team representing Nepal in the 11th SAG.
Rajan was replaced by Deepak Maharjan (81 kg) as there is more chance of Deepak winning a medal than Rajan, according to Sharma. Rajan would have to face world champion boxer and Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh of India if he had been selected for the SAG.
“Although the SAG is going to be comparatively easier than other international tournaments for Nepali boxers, they will have to face tough opposition from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka,” said Sharma.
Nepali boxers have been contributing medals in every edition of SAG but there has been a decline in gold medal tally in the last two editions. Nepal won two golds in the first edition, one each in the third and the fourth editions and two golds in the eighth edition of SAG.
However, Nepal won one silver and four bronze medals in the 10th SAG, Colombo. Sushil Ghimire (64 kg) of Armed Police Force (APF), who contributed the silver medal for Nepal, will also compete in the upcoming SAG. Coach Sharma said Dinesh along with Sushil are the potential gold medalists for the upcoming SAG.
“Nepali boxers can win medals in SAG but the outcome also depends upon the tie-sheet and luck,” said Sharma.
The other boxers selected for the SAG are Sachin Raut (48 kg) of APF, Laxman Saud (51 kg) of Far Western Region, Devendra Raj Singh Thakuri (54 kg) of Nepal Army and Ajit Gurung (60 kg) of APF. Among them, Sachin and Laxman are newcomers while others have the experience of competing in international tournaments.
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