Commonwealth Games 2018: 'I want to win a medal for my father', boxer Hussam Mohammad 

Hailing from the city of Nizamabad, Telangana, Mohammad Hussamuddin overcame many hardships is life to finally conquer the world of Boxing in India. Born third out of six siblings, the pugilist life story is somewhat relatable to the famed ‘Phogat sisters’ based on which the film ‘Dangal’ was made. But his story is unique in its way, the boxer fought until the very end when his back was against the wall!

“Boxing runs through my veins, his brothers are boxers and his father is a coach and runs an academy. It was his father who introduced him to boxing and also drew inspiration from his siblings.” said the boxer in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda. Although his brothers’ left the sport and are now doing jobs, he never followed their path as he was destined to make the pair of gloves the support of his life!

His father Samsamsuddin was also a very talented boxer, but could not go ahead due to financial reasons. Nevertheless, he is confident that his sons will make his dreams a reality and bring a medal representing the tri-colours in events like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. He still believes that his father is the best coach and admits to consulting with him before every bout!

The family was not financially sound, but Samsamsuddin had only one goal in mind, that his sons could win a medal for the tri-colour and complete his unfulfilled dream. We always laud the achievements of an athlete, but tend to forget the unsung hero without whom nothing would have been possible, Samsamuddin is one such person!

Interestingly, Hussamudin’s first love was gymnastics, but due to lack of proper coaching personnel, he was forced to shift his focus to boxing! Ahteshamuddin and Aitesamuddin, his two siblings have also represented the country on several occasions. Young Hussamudin was very overwhelmed with the reception and respect his two brothers usually got after returning with a medal from a major tournament. This was another reason for him to take up boxing.

Regarding this matter, he said, “My father started to train me from a very young age, my brothers were boxers by then. Back then, when my brothers brought back medals, everyone was so proud of them and they were given respect. This instilled the passion for boxing inside me; it was when I decided to take up boxing seriously.”

The 2009 Bronze medal win at the junior Nationals in Aurangabad was the tournament which brought him into the limelight. He repeated the good display once again in 2015, winning the Silver medal in the Youth Nationals in Kakinada and also in the next edition of the competition in Patiala the following year. The sparks of brilliance shown in the clinical display in both the tournaments promised much more in the future, it was the rise of a ‘Ragging Bull.’

Hussamuddin played his first senior national tournament in China where I lost in the quarterfinals in 2014. In 2016, he won Gold in the Nationals. His recent success includes the Silver medal win at the Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. Besides numerous achievements in National and International tournaments, the trip to Australia will definitely be a memorable chapter in his glorious boxing career.

The upcoming Commonwealth Games will be his biggest challenge and feels he can put up his best show in Gold Coast since he has nothing to lose. He is confident to bring a medal back home. Overwhelmed to represent India in the upcoming Commonwealth Games, the pugilist is making all sorts of preparations ahead of the mega event in Australia, which includes participation in various tournaments.

Regarding his expectations in the Commonwealth Games, Hussamuddin said, “I am hopeful that I will bring back a medal. I’ll try to give my best. The entire Indian team is pretty strong. They are practising hard and are acting as a team. The support staffs are also making all possible efforts to make the campaign a successful one.”

Although his family had various financial difficulties, his father was adamant to make his sons professional boxers. Hussamuddin still can’t believe how his dad managed so much on his own, in spite of shouldering the burden of the whole family.

"I will win a medal for my father," he said. If Hussamuddin manages to do so, it will go down in the books as one of the most inspiring stories the Indian Sports has ever seen!

The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is scheduled to begin on April 4 and will conclude on 15th of the same. This will be the 21st edition of the mega event.