Odisha boxer languishes in poverty

Bhubaneswar: Ramuri Singhrai, a 42-year-old Odisha boxer who was the star and icon for others in the field of boxing during the 80s and 90s, is now struggling in poverty. He spends his days hungry and suffers from paralysis since his retirement from the sport, reports said on Thursday.

Born on January 7, 1975, in Rourkela, the Jharkhand-origin Ramuri entered the boxing ring at the age of 10. He bagged gold, silver, bronze for the state in national competitions till 1995.

He quit boxing in 1998 under family and financial crisis but remained active as a coach. However, he had to stop coaching after his health deteriorated.

Away from government aid, he now lives with his wife Sukrumani at Kandari slum located in Sector 7 in Rourkela.