Nepal's Boxing Team Trains in India for 20th Asian Games

Kathmandu. In the 16th Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China in 2010, boxer Deepak Maharjan won a bronze medal, securing Nepal's sole medal in boxing. Since then, Nepali boxers have not been able to win any medals in the three subsequent editions. Deepak, who has been involved in boxing since 2004 and represented the country at national and international levels, has been working as a boxing coach at the National Sports Council (NSC) for the past decade. 'The last time I won a sole medal for Nepal in the Asian Games as a player was 16 years ago,' says Maharjan, who is currently the head coach of the boxing team in Assam, India. 'It's a coincidence that since I won a medal, Nepali boxing has not been able to bring any medals, and the responsibility to bring back that legacy has fallen on our shoulders again.' Seven players, including four men and three women, will compete for Nepal in the upcoming 20th Asian Games to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4. These players are currently undergoing foreign training at the 'Sports Authority of India' in Assam, India. According to coach Maharjan, the players are working very hard in their foreign training. 'Our players are working very hard here and are regularly practicing with many international players,' he says. 'There is a challenge and also a possibility of winning and bringing back the legacy. For success, hard work is needed, and sometimes luck must also be on our side.' Recalling that boxer Chandrabahadur Thapa won a bronze medal in the 2025 World Championship under his leadership, he expressed hope for a medal this time as well. Along with Chandrabahadur, other potential players had been preparing internally for the Asian Games for the past three years. He stated that the training in Assam will continue for another month, and this preparation in India has further strengthened the hope of winning a medal. In the Japan Asiad, Chandrabahadur Thapa in the 55 kg category, Khagendra Roka Magar in the 60 kg category, Danbahadur Darlaami in the 70 kg category, and Rabin Nepal in the 90 kg category will compete in the ring for the men's events. In the women's category, Ramisha Shrestha in the 51 kg category, Asmita Tamang in the 54 kg category, and Kusum Tamang in the 65 kg category will represent Nepal. Along with the seven-member player team, Raj Shrestha is the coach, and the Secretary General of the Nepal Boxing Association, Manbahadur Bhandari, is in management. 'Training is happening with experienced players who have competed in the World Championships and Olympics,' said Maharjan. 'This is a great opportunity for our players, and it will further strengthen the players' performance.'