Golden children of boxing raised the tricolour on a day special for India

Friday was an Asian Games tour de force for India with six gold medals — three in boxing — and I would myself count it as my best at the Games.

Stationed at the boxing venue, the Nishio Gymnasium, since early afternoon for the bouts of Lovlina Borgohain, Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal, it was a day worth it. Even experienced followers of the sport had given Lovlina a slim chance against her opponent, the reigning Asian champion. Parveen was said to be a fifty-fifty and Ankush a strong contender.

It might be that the blessings of the Father of the Nation had rained down on these children of boxing. On Gandhi Jayanti, they gifted the nation what few had dared to dream — three consecutive gold medals. And what was palpable in that stadium was boxing as a family. The boxing family, led by its president Ajay Singh, was strongly with the athletes, totally supportive whether in the quiet moments with the athletes before the bouts, or in the joyous celebrations thereafter. There were constant shouts during the bouts from the athlete stands, cautioning the contestants when they got too close to the opponent or cheers for them, like everybody’s life depended on it.

It was Lovlina’s birthday and a cake was quickly bought after her win and when she stepped out for the media interaction, there was a cake-cutting, with everybody there joining in the celebration. Feeding each other cake, the athletes and other members of the boxing contingent happily posed for pictures. Lovlina was teased about Japan being special for her, having also won her Olympic medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The vibes were totally infectious.

At the end of the day, IOA president PT Usha shared the emotions when we met her outside the main lobby. It had been a day when the medals tally put India in the contention for a top-four finish in the Games. The Asian Games eventually was a success for India.

The Asian Games has cemented boxing as a top sport for India. Lovlina, already a star in her own right, has established herself as one of India’s greatest boxers. Parveen has had redemption after her two-year ban for failing the whereabouts clause and missing a medal in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Ankush was the strongest against his Korean opponent and will surely lead the charge of Indian boxing.

To be present there at the venue and to watch each of these athletes, to watch the Indian tricolour go up not once but three times will be an occasion to remember.

We left the venue late, taking the last bus out of the stadium to Nishio stadium. The bus was filled with celebrating people who all had a great day at boxing.

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