Fists of Glory: Boxing and cricket are brands apart

RISE OF THE PHOENIX: Indian boxing is recognised today as it has electrified the nation.

        

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Rajdeep Sardesai

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The Beijing Olympics may be over but one sport has caught the attention of the people. Boxing has electrified the nation and we had the heroes of the Indian arena with us.

The power packed lined up includes the Indian who won the bronze in boxing at Beijing, Vijender Kumar. Some even call him the latest Indian pin-up boy, what with his good looks and charm.

The philosopher boxer who inspired the winning spree, Akhil Kumar and the secretary of Indian boxing federation, Colonel P K Muralidharan Raja were also present on the show. The special show also congratulated coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu and the gritty boxer who played with twelve stitches, Jitender Kumar.

A hero's welcome

Vijender Kumar, who clinched a bronze in the middle weight category at the Games had told CNN-IBN correspondent Digvijay Singh Deo in Beijing that one thing he wants his country to do when the squad reached Indian soil was to welcome the boxers the way cricketers are welcomed back.

And on the CNN-IBN show, Fists of Glory, on Friday he spoke about how overwhelmed he was by the response.

"The gathering of fellow Indians at the Delhi airport was so huge that it was a task too tough for the police to contain the crowds. People from all walks of life ant statehood were present at the airport, dancing and celebrating. We barely made our way through them and I was truly touched!" says the young man who brought glory to the nation.

Fearless boxer Akhil Kumar who had contributed to the overall success story with his quarterfinal appearance after beating some higher-ranked opponents, admitted he was stunned with the reception too.

"I harboured no hopes of a warm welcome as I had lost. But I was in for a pleasant surprise," said Akhil.

"It was almost like the frenzy we had seen in Mumbai for cricketers who had brought home the Twenty-20 world cup. They were brought from the airport to the stadium with celebrations and we got a similar reception too." added the youngest in the squad, Jitender.

A class apart

The man who had thrown his weight behind the punch of these boxers, Col PKM Raja reminisced about the times he had seen them years ago, raw as rough cut diamonds and in need of polish in terms of their boxing skills.

"They are real world beaters. The international community were full of praise for them and called them absolute Olympic medal worthy," he said.

Coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu said that what set them apart was their adherence to regimen and training. "They are totally committed and do not require the coach to push them forth," said Sandhu.

Life has changed

It is the victory that has made them recognisable everywhere felt Vijender. No one would have bothered if the boys had lost, he lamented. Akhil is not bothered about fans who hound him for autographs in public places. "I am a boxer, I am not scared!" he joked. "We now hunger for better performance as money and praise are temporary," he added.

While Jitender is merely happy that people recognise them, Vijender is looking forward to have another photo opportunity with Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan who had flagged off the team to Beijing.

Raja recounted an incident of a terminally ill boy in Chicago who wants Vijender's autograph.

To Sandhu, it is a time to recall Wordsworth's poem 'Going down the hill on a bicycle'. Vijender qualified at the first qualifying in Chicago and at the second one in Bangkok, and no one even shook hands with the lad.

Raja recalled how Akhil showed his punch in Vladivostok in Russia, years ago. "I boosted his spirits though he felt shaky. As also with Vijender after Bangkok. I taught the guys to visualise and that helped," Raja narrated.

Now Jitender has been promoted to the ranks of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Coach Sandhu joked about how he is threatened by Jitender that now he will not allow Sandhu's vehicle to go past Haryana. "Oh that is because we love him. He never scolded us, he would take a lot of tension, though," offered Jitender.

An Olympic medal for boxing in India's kitty was Sandhu's dream and today he is a contended man.

The world sat up

Even the Cuban boxers would tell the CNN-IBN correspondent in Beijing that the Indian boxers had come of age and were a serious threat as opponents.

"Renowned coaches from Cuba and France walked up to me and told me outside the rings at Beijing that my boxers were exemplary. These guys have sweated and worked hard to earn this respect of the boxing world," said Sandhu.

And what, pray is the secret of the constantly changing hairstyles of Akhil Kumar? The inspiration is Akhshay Kumar, said Vijender only to be seconded by Akhil.

"But it is my work, my boxing that have brought me where I am today, not my hair-styles. If I had not performed, who would care what style I sported!" said the philosopher boxer.

Modelling, movies and money

So will the boys grab offers of modelling or acting? Can they and will they get those money minting contracts?

"Athletes are capable of everything," said Akhil.

"What cricketers can, we can too," argues Vijender, the man who has already modelled.

But the philosopher disagrees and calls any such comparison foolish. The two are incomparable.

But coach Sandhu has given them a long leash. "I encourage them to go and savour their days of glory. They are fine boys who know their responsibilities," he added.

No resting on laurels

Coach Sandhu is overwhelmed that the boys have put him into the speed dial list of the Indian Sports Minister, M S Gill, which is not a small feat he feels.

The boys, especially Jitender seemed lost on what next, but Sandhu reassured with, "Boxing is in very safe hands. This outcome is not a one-man show. It is the product of a policy followed by a group of organisations and individuals."

"I am very upset but somehow contain my anger that very few people acknowledge the hard work put in by all our coaches. Our victory has made the sport well known in India," concluded Akhil.

The sport of boxing, already big worldwide is just gaining momentum in India. One medal and many hopes, it is now getting a sweeping recognition across the nation, courtesy our Olympics squad of boxers.

So be it Akhil Kumar's fearlessness, Jitender Kumar's grit or Vijender Singh's technical prowess, the International Boxing Association has acknowledged India's growing stature in boxing. But there are many opponents yet to be fought, many medals up there, to be grabbed. Boxing is surely coming of age in India.