Remains unbeaten for 17 years before facing a 'sweet' loss to his son Amrit

Lalitpur, October 22

Veteran squash player Hira Bahadur Thapa today announced his retirement after dominating the sport for more than 16 years.

The 49-year-old Thapa, who hails from Gorkha district, won the national championship from 1994 to 2011. He remained unbeaten for many years before losing to his son Amrit Thapa for the first time in 17 years. “I have decided to retire from the sport which I loved the most,” said Thapa. “And this is only because of the age factor as my body does not permit me to play in full swing against my desire to compete against the youth players,” he added. “Squash is my life and it will remain forever. I cannot remain far from squash and frankly speaking I do not have other skills,” said Thapa, who was more than happy with his achievements in the 28-year career.

“I dominated the sport for many years and I remained as No 1 player from 1994-2011 without facing a defeat,” said Thapa. “My first loss in so many years came at the hands of my son Amrit and that was the moment I felt proud of me as I had lost to a player whom I taught the sport,” said the emotional Thapa. “I was a happy man that day despite losing the match. Both my son and daughter (Krishna Thapa) are doing well in national level and I believe my investment in the sport has paid off.”

Thapa won his first gold medal in the first Mercantile Tournament in 1994 and went on to claim a total of 18 titles and four silver medals in his 28-year-long career in domestic circuit. He also finished runner-up in the above-35 category in the Bajaj Almond Drops Northern India Squash Championship in 2006. Thapa participated in four South Asian Games and won a bronze medal in the ninth edition of the sporting extravaganza in Islamabad in 2004. He along with son Amrit and daughter Krishna were in the Nepali squad in the 11th SA Games in Bangladesh in 2011.

Thapa said he retired as a player and will remain in the sport in other capacities. “I have retired as a player and now I would like to serve the sport as a coach. I dominated the sport in national level and want to produce champion players who can dominate in international arena in the days to come,” said Thapa, who has attended three international coaching courses including the ASF Squash Level 1 Coaching Course. Thapa is currently working as the coach of youth development programme of the Nepal Squash and Rackets Association. “I want to pass on my experience to the upcoming generation.”