Boxing her way to glory

A Junior World Boxing Champion in the 54 kg weight category, 16-year-old Sakshi looks up to Vijendra Singh as her ideal. What she dreams of becoming is a sportsperson like him who doesn’t need an introduction.

“I belong to a village, Dhanana, which is around 20 kms from Bhiwani. Every day, my father takes me for practice to Bhiwani. He dreams to see me famous,” Sakshi tells Metrolife.

“I always liked fighting in the mud. And, when my parents encouraged me to pursue a sport, I chose boxing,” she says referring to the many families in Haryana who encourage girls to take up sports, particularly boxing and wrestling.

Training under coach Jagdish from Rohtak
Academy, Sakshi currently practises for three hours each in the early mornings and late evenings, besides preparing for her class 12th exams next year.

“Once I complete my class 12th, I want to win as many medals as possible for India. India is no less than any other country, and it’s a matter of time before we start winning big,” she says.

Winning a silver medal at her first state level championship, Sakshi went on to win a gold medal at Junior World Women Boxing Championship, Taipei, Taiwan, 2015 and won the bronze medal in 5th Nation’s Cup, Serbia, this year.

Sakshi along with five others are financially supported by Asbah, a rice brand. “Often in our country, dreams and talent of young and deserving girls wither away for lack of proper financial support and encouragement. I really do not want to give up on my dream,” says the boxer. And she says, “A gold medal at the Olympics is a dream that I have.”