National level boxer hangs himself in hostel room

A 19-year-old national-level boxer from Nagpur allegedly ended his life by hanging himself in his hostel room in Akola in Maharashtra on 21 February. The deceased, Pranav Raut, had represented Maharashtra at a national boxing championship held in Delhi earlier this year, his coach Satishchandra Bhatt said.

Raut, a resident of Nagpur, was undergoing training at a sports academy in Akola, where Bhatt was his team's coach, and stayed in its hostel. On Friday, he was supposed to participate in a tournament in Akola. "Yesterday, he had not come for training due to healthreasons. However, on 21 February morning he ended his life by hanging himself in his room," Bhatt said.

Maharashtra Sports Minister Sunil Kedar also confirmed the incident. The reason for the suicide was not yet known. Police could not be reached for comments.