I am looking for another gold for my country

A serviceman in the Navy, Dingko was in Pune recently, doing what was expected of him winning the bantam weight gold medal in the 48th Inter-Services boxing championship. And that, despite being injured.

Dingko reflects on his claim to fame: “People know Dingko because of that victory in Bangkok.”

Dingko appears to be stand-offish, a little bit aloof from his fellow boxers. The 20-year-old takes his sport seriously, almost religion-like. “Even Mummy is forgotten when it comes to training and fighting,” Dingko says.

Not surprising then that ten major titles have come his way. Donning gloves when only 11, the boxer from Manipur is grateful to his chosen discipline. “I may have taken to boxing as a form of self defence but look at what it’s given me … It has taken me to so many places and made me famous,” he says as he looks forward to travelling to the Sydney Olympics next year.

Dingko took a break from the National camp in Patiala for the Services championship which to him is bigger than the Nationals.

He shies away when queried about the scene he created after he was left out of the Indian team for the Asian Games, saying, “Please don’t ask me to recall such things in my life. It’s a foregone matter and I have forgotten about it.”

A pugilist of a different character, Dingko takes time before answering any questions. “I’m the fifth child from a family of six — three brothers and three sisters. I lost my father and two brothers. My three sisters are married.

“My family knows my commitment to boxing. Mummy knows that she comes next after boxing. But I make it a point to visit the family at least twice a year. Maybe in years to come it could be quite frequent,” he adds.

The Manipuri lad’s career took off in meteoric fashion. He made a mark on the national scene the very year he began competing. Dingko reminisces: “The gold medal at the sub junior nationals at home was a stepping stone and from then onwards there was no looking back.”

Dingko does not entertain thoughts of turning professional and he has turned down several offers. He reveals: “After my triumph at the Kings Cup in Bangkok in 1997, I received offers from the United States. I turned them down. I’m looking for another gold for my country in a bigger event and that is the Sydney Olympics.”