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Indian boxing team coach Dharmendra Yadav, made a huge sacrifice to be with his disciples at the Paris Olympics 2024. According to reports from Amar Ujala, the revered Arjuna awardee chose to miss his son's wedding to be with the contingent, as they prepare for the showpiece event.
Last week, Dharmendra was torn between attending his son's wedding and leading the Indian boxing team's crucial preparations in Saarbrucken, Germany, for the Paris Olympics.
To add to his dilemma, Dharmendra's mother, India's first professional boxer, fell seriously ill and was admitted to the ICU. On her insistence, his son's wedding was arranged hastily to fulfil her wish.
Ultimately, Dharmendra chose his commitment to the team over personal celebrations, attending the function virtually through video calls.
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Dharmendra's wife expressed that this tough decision was made collectively, prioritizing the Indian boxing team's preparation for the Paris Olympics over personal events.
"It was a very difficult decision, which we all took together. We all felt that nothing is bigger than the Olympics. The team's preparations should not be affected because of them." she said.
Why Indian boxing team's hopes for medals in boxing rest on women?
The medal hopes from the Indian boxing team are basically pinned on the women, with Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen at the centre of it. Borgohain, the bronze medallist in the women’s 75kg category at the Tokyo Olympics, has made a seamless transition to the 69kg division. This shift means she no longer has to endure a gruelling weight cut before her bouts.
Lovlina's transition has been adorned by quite a few achievements, including a World Championship title and a bronze medal at the Asian Games. Despite a slight dip in speed due to the heavier weight class, she has compensated with more powerful punches, boxing to her full potential and remaining in contention for a podium finish.
Nikhat Zareen has been the most consistent boxer in this Olympic cycle. Since 2022, the two-time world champion has lost only two bouts asserting her dominance in the 52kg division.
Nikhat is known for her agility and sharp combinations of punches. Her extensive training and sparring sessions with Turkish boxer Buse Naz Cakiroglu, the silver medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, have further honed her skills. The experience will be invaluable if she faces Cakiroglu in the medal rounds in Paris.
