Women’s nationals: Sikkim defies odds to win rare boxing medal
Yasika Rai won silver in 48kg weight class after uncertainty over participation due to administrative crisis
Greater Noida: Yasika Rai won a rare boxing medal for Sikkim at the women’s boxing nationals here. It was a medal she could have easily missed due to the ongoing administrative crisis in the Boxing Federation of India (BFI).
The participation of the six-member Sikkim team was in doubt till the last minute as state officials, opposed to the current BFI regime, instructed the team to withdraw from the competition. Attempts were even made to stop the boxers at the airport while they were preparing to board the flight to Delhi.
However, the delegation defied their association and went ahead to enter the team in the competition. The result was Yasika breaking a 12-year medal-less streak for Sikkim at Elite Women’s National Championships. She also became only the fifth Sikkim woman boxer to win a medal at the senior nationals. The first one was Dronacharya Awardee Sandhya Gurung, who has trained Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain.
Yasika -- competing in 48kg -- was a class act during the seven-day championship. She caught the eye with her nimble footwork, controlled aggression and clean punching. In a highly competitive weight class that had some of India’s best names like world champion Nitu Ghanghas and Asian Championship medallist Minakshi, 21-year-old Yasika displayed the guts and ring craft needed to excel at the highest level.
Though she lost the final 0-5 to Minakshi, she has undoubtedly emerged as the find of the tournament. She won four bouts, beating boxers from Punjab, Manipur, and Railways en route to the final.
“We came to the tournament because we wanted Yasika to compete. She is very talented and has put so much hard work the entire year for the National Championship. There was confusion (over participation) till the end but we could not have let the hard work of our boxers go waste. Yasika has proved us right and now the federation officials cannot tell us anything,” said a team member.
Yasika is excited to break into the India national camp for the first time. “It is a big moment for me,” said the boxer from Namchi. “I have competed in two senior nationals before and this has been my best performance. I have worked on my footwork, straight punches and I am happy to beat quality boxers here. The first bout was difficult but once I settled down I was able to handle the pressure.”
Having started as a footballer in school, Yasika was spotted by coaches of a nearby academy. “She was good in sprints, had good footwork and coordination. We brought her into our academy in 2019. She took some time, but in the last two years, she has improved a lot,” said coach Subash.
Anamika, Neeraj win titles
Paris Olympian Jaismine Lamboria continued with her dominant showing to beat Priya 5-0 and win the 57kg title. The tall Services boxer has come out all guns blazing in the tournament and made light of her opponents. Railways Anamika Hooda defended her title in light flyweight, defeating Haryana’s Tamanna with a unanimous 5-0 verdict.
The biggest surprise was seasoned Simranjit Kaur losing to Neeraj Phogat in the toughest final of the evening. The final was decided 4-3 on review. Phogat, who is making a comeback to the ring after a four-year doping suspension, was quick on the attack from the start. Tokyo Olympian Simranjit made a good comeback in the second round, leading to a thrilling third round where Neeraj just about managed to land more clear punches to take the title in 65kg.
A similar close bout saw Sanamacha Chanu beat Saneh of Haryana 5-2. The decision went in Sanamacha’s favour on review with the Railways boxer showing better ring craft and clean punching. Railways stamped their authority, defending their title with nine medals in total, including five gold.
BFI announces competitions
Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh announced an ₹50,000 cash award for the top performers. He also said the Youth National Championship will take place in April at the same venue, followed by the Junior Nationals in Nainital in May. The sub-junior nationals will be held in Delhi or Goa in June. “We remain committed to protecting the interests of our boxers and ensuring that all National Championships are completed within the next two months,” said BFI President Ajay Singh.