KATHMANDU: Nepali boxer Chandra Bahadur Thapa Magar made history by winning a bronze medal in the 54kg weight category in the ongoing IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai.

He was defeated 5–0 by his opponent from Kazakhstan in the semi-final. Thapa has received 75 thousand US dollars as a prize.

Chandra defeated Baster Masihor Yogune Holi of Indonesia 5–0 in round 32, Davit Yegorian of Armenia 5–0 in round 16, and Mehdi Kazemi of Iran 5–0 in the quarter-finals to enter the semi-finals, but was defeated 5–0 by Saken Bibosinov of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals, winning the bronze medal.

Trainer Deepak Maharjan expressed happiness over achieving a historic accomplishment.

“We have participated in this competition aiming for the 20th Asian Games to be held in Japan. A historic achievement has been made. We are happy, and I thank everyone, including the National Sports Council family, for believing in me and appointing me as a coach, considering me eligible for the 2026 goal,” Maharjan said.