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Boxer Nitu Ghanghas: Desh support karega, toh ladkiyan aur bhi achha khelengi
Haryana-born Nitu Ghanghas won a gold medal in women’s 45kg-48kg minimum weight category at the recently concluded Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. She sheds light on how her thought process worked before turning up for the big final and also talks about inspiring young girls in the country, to take up sports.
Boxer Nitu Ghanghas has kept alive the tradition of sportswomen bringing glory to the nation. She clinched a gold medal in the women’s 45kg-48kg minimum weight category, which added to the country’s gold rush at the recent Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG). “Bahut duayein kari thi sabne mere liye. My family as well as the entire country had been right behind me, praying for my success. Mere poore gaon mein abhi bhi khushi ka mahaul hai, ki unki ladki gold lekar aa rahi hai wapas,” says the 21-year-old from Dhanana village in Haryana.
Optimistic about inspiring other girls in the country to take up sports, with her performance, Ghanghas says, “Ladkiyan itne medals lekar aa rahi hain, yeh bahut garv ki baat hai. The more we represent our country in major competitions, the more young girls we will be able to reach out to (inspire). In the recent years, there is a growing sentiment towards women taking up sports, and that has been a major reason we see so many young girls achieving big. Agar desh humein aise hi support karta rahega, toh hum ladkiyan aur bhi achha karengi!”
Ecstatic with her achievement, she cherishes her moment when she was at top of the podium. “Jab humara Tiranga upar jaata hai toh dil mein alag hi khushi hoti hai. This is exactly what we play sports for, and achieving that dream feels extremely special,” shares the pugilist who displays utmost belief in her abilities. “Main apne bout se pehle poori confident thi ki meri saari mehnat aur training aaj safal hogi. I always play my opponent and never think too much about where or what competition I am playing in. Har match se pehle mere coach ne mujhe planning karwayi thi,” she says, adding, “Mere bout se pehle maine aisa bilkul nahi socha ki main CWG jaise bade platform par hun. And that’s what helped me soak in all the pressure and come out triumphant.”
Author tweets @karansethi042
