Boxer Thapa receives heroes welcome

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 15: Nepalese boxer Chandra Bahadur Thapa, who made history by winning a bronze medal at the AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championship in the United Arab Emirates, received a grand welcome at Tribhuvan International Airport on Sunday.

The reception was led by Minister for Youth and Sports Bablu Gupta, National Sports Council (NSC) Member–Secretary Ramcharitra Mehta, NSC Executive Committee member Kamla Bahadur Bhattarai, senior officials from Nepal Police, and representatives of the Nepal Boxing Federation and sports associations, athletes and coaches.

Thapa, competing in the 54 kg category, defeated opponents from Armenia, Indonesia and Iran to secure the bronze medal. Alongside the medal, he earned a prize of USD 75,000. His campaign ended in the semi-final against a Kazakh boxer ranked seventh in the world. Thapa is the first and only Nepali pugilist to win a medal at the World Boxing Championship.

Nepal had fielded five athletes in the tournament. Lal Prasad Upreti (48 kg) reached the quarter-finals and won USD 10,000, while Phunglang Kambang (51 kg), Khagendra Roka Magar (60 kg) and Dipak Shrestha (80 kg) exited in the opening round. The team was coached by Prakash Thapa Magar, Dipak Maharjan and Sujit Pun Magar.

Speaking at the ceremony, Member Secretary Mehta congratulated Thapa, saying his achievement had brought joy to the entire nation. 

Boxer Thapa credited collective support for his success and pledged to strive for even greater accomplishments.

Boxing Federation Vice-President Shyam Kaji Awale remarked that the medal had not only elevated boxing but also honoured the nation. 

On the same day, the team including Swikrit Neupane, who won a silver medal in the U-23 Men’s Singles (Class 7) table tennis event at the 5th Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, was also welcomed at the airport.

Officials from the NSC, the National Paralympic Committee and the All Nepal Table Tennis Association joined in celebrating the achievement.