Gurgaon: Haryana cop turns pro boxer, eyes Tokyo Olympics

Jitender Kumar has sought permission from the Haryana DGP to be allowed to take up professional boxing

After Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Vijendra Singh, Jitender Kumar, chief security officer of the Haryana Governor’s House in Panchkula and formerly an ACP of Gurgaon police, has sought permission from the Haryana DGP to be allowed to take up professional boxing.

The first recognition for Kumar came after he won the bronze medal at the 2006 CWG in Melbourne. (HT File)

The 28-year-old flyweight boxer has already started preparing for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. He has won a bronze in the flyweight category at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and is a two-time Asian Championship bronze medallist. He also represented India at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

“I am waiting for the permission, after which I will sign up with Infinity Optimal Solutions, the same promoters who roped in WBO Asia Pacific champion, Vijender Singh,” said Kumar.

Kumar’s hope to win an Olympic medal crashed when he lost to Russia’s Georgy Balakshin in the quarterfinals on August 20, 2008. Having lost by a small margin, 11-15, Kumar was disappointed that he could not win a medal.

From an amateur to a professional boxer, life has not been easy for Kumar.

After joining the Haryana police, he had to stop practising, but that did not make him lose interest in the game.

“My mentor Akhil Kumar, Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships medallist, has always inspired me. I owe my career to him,” said Kumar.

He will compete professionally in 61kg weight category and in 2020 Olympics, he will go back to 56 kg, said Kumar.

The boxer is all set to tie the knot with 25-year-old fashion designer Yamini Sharma on December 8 in a traditional ceremony in Gurgaon.