The 24 -year -old Minakshi gave the 2023 World Championship gold medalist Nitu Ghanghas for more than a minute in the first round of the 48 kg quarter -finals in women’s boxing citizens running in Greater Noida. Minakshi lost to Nitu twice in the Commonwealth Games trial in 2022 and then in 2023 for the Asian Games testing. This time, however, things will be different.
As soon as Nitu started attacking, Minakshi followed the plan set by her coach Vijay Hooda and threw her sideways and then landed her shots. She went away from Nitu’s punch and in return landed two clean -suitable jobs. Boxers from Rohtak clung to that strategy and attacked Nitu’s charge continuously to cancel the charge and to take out the 48 kg world champion, Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathic Sports Complex in Greater Noida, a stunning result for all at the Pathic Sports Complex.
“My gameplay is similar to his (Nitu) and we both retaliate. The plan was to shut down his attack and then punch me. I was a little nervous because Nitu is a world champion, but helped me after sticking to the plan.”
Minakshi and her coach Vijay had carefully prepared the strategy of attacking the counter by Sidesteeping after losing to Nitu on the last two occasions. “Minakshi’s previous match against Nitu was fought very closely and after the result did not go in favor, we decided to come up with this strategy. I wanted him to dominate the bout, so there is no place for the decision of partition. He completely finished it today and it has come after two years of hard work.”
It has been a long journey for the coach-student pair that has been training simultaneously for the last 12 years. “I started training under Vijay Sir when I was a child. He has been with me for the last 12 years and takes care of everything including my strength, conditioning and nutrition,” Minakshi said.
humble beginnings
From Ruraki village in Rohtak district of Haryana, Minakshi is the youngest of four brothers and sisters. Born for a father who runs an auto rickshaw, Minakshi’s interest in boxing was not initially well received by her family. “Nobody has played any game in my family. I was the first person to take any game. I used to watch children in my neighborhood boxing and the game gave me a lot of interest,” said Minakshi. “It was not easy for me in the beginning. I come from a poor family and everyone was hesitant about the boxing girl.”
It was at this point when coach Vijay stepped into recognizing his ability.
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“Minakshi is very close to the stadium, where I teach. After the initial interest in the game, she started coming to my academy, but her family refused to send her. I went to her and assured her that she (Minakshi) is a talented girl. Finally, when she won at the young level, she doubled.
Vijay, who runs a boxing academy in Rurki with 70 boxers from the age of 8 to 25, has been managing money for Minshshi since his junior days. “Since my family’s financial condition is not good, Vijay sir gave me food and clothes, took care of my diet, and gave me money to travel. Now, we have a strength and conditioning coach, which was recently hired to work on my power,” Minakshi said.
Long road
Despite playing in the National Circuit for the last five years, Minakshi rarely tested international water. He has been depicted in just two major international tournaments as a senior, winning a gold medal in the 2024 Alarda Cup and a silver medal in the 2022 Asian Boxing Championships. Minakshi said, “I am still to play big tournaments at the international level. I used to play in the category of 52 kg, but fell to 48 because my natural weight always used to be around 49 kg.”
Minakshi plans to continue in the same category with tournaments like the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games next year. Vijay concluded, “We have our eyes set on the upcoming Commonwealth Games as Minakshi has never played a multi-sporting tournament. With this victory against Nitu, he is more confident now.” Minakshi will face Sanjana in Delhi in the semi -finals of boxing citizens on Wednesday.
ยฉ The Indian Express Private Limited
