Sher Singh, a former Army boxer, wanted to live his dream of winning laurels for the country through his three sons. Rajesh, the eldest, was introduced to the sport first, but he was good enough only till the inter-university level. He didn't let his father down and started to train his younger brothers, Mukesh and Manoj.
On Wednesday, Manoj fulfilled his father's dream when the national anthem played at the boxing hall of the Talkatora Complex.
Sher Singh's youngest son had clinched gold in the 64kg weight category.
“My father always wanted us to win glory for the country at a mega event. I am happy that I've made his wish come true,” said Manoj, who hails from Rajound village of Kaithal district in Haryana.
“I am into boxing because of my elder brother Rajesh. When I was young, I used to see him box and later on, he introduced me to the sport and coached me,” he added. Manoj's elder brother, Mukesh, also represented the country last year in the Czech Republic where he won bronze in an invitational meet.
Before the Commonwealth Games, Manoj's last major international tournament was the World Championship in Milan last year. In between, he failed to get a berth in the national squad as he lost the Commonwealth Championship trials to Balwinder Singh, who happens to be the cousin of Beijing Olympic Games medallist Vijender Singh.
{{/usCountry}}Before the Commonwealth Games, Manoj's last major international tournament was the World Championship in Milan last year. In between, he failed to get a berth in the national squad as he lost the Commonwealth Championship trials to Balwinder Singh, who happens to be the cousin of Beijing Olympic Games medallist Vijender Singh.
{{/usCountry}}Balwinder went on win gold at the Commonwealth Championship in the Capital in March and his feat made Manoj's return to the squad difficult.
But after the final Games' trials, held at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, Manoj bounced back strongly to be ranked well ahead of the other boxers in his weight category.
“After the World Championship, I didn't get a chance to don the national jersey, so I was waiting for an opportunity to prove my worth. Finally, I got a chance to show my talent in front of the home crowd. I am delighted that I didn't let anybody, including my family, coaches, down,” said the champion.