Devendro Singh - The dark knight rises

I wasn’t aware of any sport other than cricket, because that is how I grew up. Maybe I should have tried harder to get involved in more sports, but I didn’t. I felt that watching WWE was much better than going out and playing, but now I regret it. Frankly speaking, I am actually jealous, but at the same time, proud of some of the sportspersons India has produced. The entire nation loves them, respects them and prays for them. They are special.

London 2012 was when the “Inspire a Generation” Olympics arrived. There were talks about India’s Olympic medal chances. I believed India would get 7 medals – actually 7 gold medals! We eventually got 6 with no gold, but I am impressed with the likes of Devendro singh, Parupalli Kashyap (Batminton), Sandeep Singh(Rowing) and few others whom I didn’t know before.

Talking about Devendro Singh Laishram, the 20 year old comes from Manipur, the historic city where the sweet-heart of India, Mary Kom lives. Sushila Devi, his sister, was a national boxing champion, so he had no problems in entering the boxing ring. Until last August, no one knew much about him. Just before the World Championships trial last year, the Army Sports Institute Boxing in-charge Col Boker wanted to suggest a name. A young boy who was in the youth category, who had never attended any national trials but who possessed killer aggression, was suggested. Going through the official channel, Col Boker confirmed Devendro a spot in World Championships Trial.

We experienced the rest live and a quote I read in a morning newspaper best sums it up. “Like a Dark Knight, Laishram Devendro Singh has risen from the shadows”.

He booked a place in the World Championship in Azerbaijan after defeating two Asian silver medalists Amandeep Singh and Nanao Singh. Devendro was eliminated in a tough quarter-final but that earned him a chance to represent India in London 2012. That was it! The training was all that mattered, and he was dedicated. In a training camp held at Ireland, he dominated and defeated Paddy Barnes, the Beijing bronze medalist. This gave us a pearl of hope that he would win a medal.

But fate was written in another way. After successful preliminary rounds, he was defeated by the same person whom he defeated in the training camp, with a score of 23-18. The biased umpires played a hand in making the Irish crowd cheer.

The Indian boxing coach Sandhu said after his QF Bout, “He fought his heart out, he was aggressive right through. What else do you expect from such a young boxer? I am happy with his performance.”

Devendro is backed by the boxers in India, his sister (who works on each of his matches), Olympic Gold Quest, and the people of India.

He can walk with his chin held high for what he did and he continues doing. We are proud of you !

Devendro Singh. Truly an Inspiration.