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Boxer Vijender Singh’s wife can’t bear to see husband take punches
Boxer Vijender’s wife Archana Singh says she does watch her husband’s bout and she is rather superstitious that he could lose if she did.
New Delhi
She is a boxer’s wife, but Archana Singh can’t bear to watch husband Vijender take punches and get hurt in the ring. So, she does not watch any of the Olympic medallist’s exploits, be it as an amateur or pro.
Her initial reluctance has turned into superstition, and she does not watch the bouts even when they are telecast live. And they have been married for five years.
It was no different on Saturday as Vijender fought for an Asian belt in New Delhi.
“I only want Vijender to win, it doesn’t matter whether I watch him box or not,” says Archana. “He takes care of boxing, and I look after our son Abir. Whenever someone asks why I don’t come for the bouts, I usually say Abir is small, so I have to be at home with him.”
In pics: Vijender dashes Kerry’s ‘Hope’, clinches Asia Pacific title
In fact, Archana was with Vijender in England during each of his previous six pro bouts, but skipped them all. Archana first met Vijender when he was preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“I was not a sports buff, so I didn’t follow the schedule or know when his bouts were telecast. Later on, after marriage, he went for the London Olympics. Although I knew the timings, I still couldn’t watch the bouts and only used to ask my brothers about the result.”
“Boxing is such a sport where you win or lose, you still have to take punches. Being his wife, I can’t watch that. Boxing is his passion and profession and I am fine with it. But I don’t have to see him get hurt.”
The initial hesitation became a sort of superstition wherein she now believes that if she watches the bout, Vijender will lose.
“I have gotten a little bit superstitious that the outcome of the bouts might not go in Vijender’s favour if I watch,” says Archana. “But yes, at times I have seen the recordings on Youtube, but watching him live, no question.”
Read | In 7th heaven: Vijender Singh beats Kerry Hope to clinch 1st pro-title
