Stamping their winning punch on three medals in the ongoing national women boxing championship, the three winners from Uttarakhand have reached the quarter finals in their respective categories. These women hailing from Vikas Nagar, Haldwani and Pithoragarh have shown that theirs is not ‘soft belly’ but ‘pretty hard’ too when it comes to giving punches and bouts.
Krishna Thapa of Vikas Nagar Dehradun is now aiming at gold medal in the finals which would be held on Thursday. Speaking to The Pioneer, Krishna said, “I came to play with an aim to win gold and placing each punch with caution and seriousness. My ultimate aim is to represent my country in the international competition.” Same expressions were shared by Poonam Bisht of Haldwani who said she did not wish to stop before winning gold medal. Poonam won in the 57 kg weight category.
Having won numerous times gold medals in many national boxing championships, Kamla Bisht of Pithoragarh aims next for Olympic Games. Kamla opines that there is no dearth of talent in boxing in the state provided the necessary coaching and infrastructural facilities are given to the young talents.
Belonging to a small village Kusauli in Pithoragarh, she put on the boxing gloves just out of fun 13 years ago. Her boxing coach Kishen Singh Mehr goaded her to come in boxing ring and she won gold medal in the national championship held in 2007. After that there was no looking back. last year she won gold medal in World Police Games held in Virginia in America.
Now aiming to win in the finals of this national championship, Kamla is also eyeing for 2018 national boxing competition and then Olympics. She works out daily to keep fit and energetic, she said.