Shillong: No, we are not discussing the chemistry between two of Indian women boxing’s flag bearers MC Mary Kom and Sarita Devi.
The story is of a fanboy of the six-time world championship medallist and London bronze medal winner MC Mary Kom, Md Nazmuddin, who interestingly is a product of the Sarita Regional Boxing Academy (SRBA), aiming to make it count at the senior national level after missing out on a golden opportunity last season.
Situated some 25kms from Imphal at Mayang village, the SRBA has produced numerous champions over the years, and quite naturally been in competition with the Mary Kom-SAI Boxing Academy (MKBA) located at Lamphelpat, north of the centre of Imphal. For Nazmuddin, however, it wasn’t the count of champions produced, but the proximity from his village (Heibong Makhong) that brought him to the SRBA.
He still has to peddle approximately 24 kms a day to complete his day’s training at the academy, situated right opposite the Pravabati College, where he’s pursuing Bachelors in Physical Education.
Born to Md Abdullah, a farmer and his homemaker wife Tahira, Nazmuddin is the fifth among his eight siblings, and supports his career with his brother’s earnings. One of his elder brothers works as a helper (jugali) to a local mason, and whatever he earns, he invests in the promising pugilist’s training.
“I don’t know if I will ever be able to repay them for their contributions in supporting my boxing career. My father is a farmer, and whatever he earns, it is almost exhausted in supporting the 10-member family, including me. My brother works as a jugali, and he supports me with the rest of the requirements for my boxing,” he shares.
But is that enough to sustain a career in boxing?
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“Thankfully the coaching at the SRBA is free, and I don’t have any other distractions, so whatever I get from my family, I spend it on my boxing requirements. But sometimes I feel as time passes by, how long can I bank on family support?” he said while candidly admitting the increase in dietary requirements going forward.
The investment has borne fruit as Nazmuddin started off with a bronze at the inaugural Khelo India Games (2018) in New Delhi before shining with a gold each at the first ever North East Olympic Games at Imphal in 2018, and at the inter-school championships.
While the pandemic took away almost two years from every athlete globally, by the time things got back to normal with the return of tournaments, poor Nazmuddin found himself isolated after contacting the virus, and thereby affecting his chances of participating at his first national competition at the senior level.
“It was tough initially as the competition level is too high and missing the nationals after getting through in the trials hurts more. The recovery process did take some time and it felt like starting all over again,” he said while recollecting his battle with the dreaded virus.
Nazmuddin is, however, in no mood to let go of the opportunity if he’s selected for this year’s senior men’s national boxing championships, scheduled in Rohtak from December 26. He hopes a good performance at the national level will help him get a decent job.
“For supplements, tomorrow, I will need to borrow money from others. I can’t be putting undue pressure on my family or my brother every day, and that’s what keeps affecting me. I am trying for a job, and hopefully a good performance at the national level will fetch me one.”
“After all life is all about hope,” he says before joining the Manipur contingent at the ongoing 2nd North East Olympic Games, in Shillong.
The 21-year-old has already confirmed a medal for himself after entering the semifinals of the men’s 48kg weight division at the ongoing competition.
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