Click to play videoBhiwani, Haryana: The trio of Akhil, Jintender and Vijender from Bhiwani, Haryana have definitely made India proud of them. While Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar reached till quarter finals, Vijender Kumar won a bronze for India.
Boxing is more than a sport for people in Bhiwani.
“People are crazy about boxing here. Around 2,000 boys are learning boxing here. In every nook and corner you can find kids practicing boxing here,” says Dharamveer Sharma.
The boxing rings in Bhiwani look as they can collapse any moment and the rooms where this trio has stayed cannot accommodate one individual properly but is still shared by two. But, inspite of all these odds stacked up against them, these boxers have managed to make a mark in Beijing Olympics.
More than 150 kids practice at the Sports Authority of India training centre in Bhiwani everyday and most of them idolise Vijender, who won a bronze in boxing at Beijing Olympics.
“Vijender is my idol. I want to become a boxer like him,” says Sunil Kumar.
For most of these kids come from humble backgrounds and boxing is their windows to success.
“I don't have money to start a business. I want to play well so that I can make my country proud and earn some money for my business,” says Sanjay Kumar.
Twenty- year-old Sanjay has been practicing for the last eight years and dreams of winning an Olympic gold someday but he says a lot needs to be done for Indian boxing.
“I want to be like Akhil and win medals. I had gone to Germany there is a huge difference between facilities offered to sportspersons there & those in India,” Sanjay adds.
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