"Main maar doongi"(I will beat anybody). The quintessential phrase became Sakshi Chaudhary’s newly minted identity in India's boxing ring, powering her to Commonwealth Games and Asian Games qualification in the 51kg category after she won the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) selection trials at NIS Patiala on Friday, May 15.
Sakshi, a two-time Youth Worlds gold medallist, sealed her spot in the two most important events of the year following her unanimous (5-0) win over reigning world champion Minakshi Hooda.
"This is a historic moment for me and a big achievement. I beat Nikhat Zareen in the 4-1 semifinal and Minakshi thereafter," Sakshi told Sports Now as she has qualified for her first CWG and Asian Games to be held later this year. "I hope to maintain the form in the future and win gold medals at both events," she vowed.
Sakshi switched to highly competitive 51kg category for the trials after competing in the 54kg category last year, when she played at the World Championships in Liverpool. Her campaign ended in the pre-quarterfinal following a loss to Turkey’s Hatice Akbas.
Her transformation has been rapid. After a forgetful campaign at the National Boxing Championships in January where she lost in the quarterfinal, she sought help of sports psychologist Priyavrindha Pathik to get rid of nerves before bouts.
Even though she had a stellar youth and junior career, being a two-time youth world champion and junior world champion as well as the World Boxing Cup gold, she found it challenging to transition to the senior boxing. She was too overwhelmed to face the big names of world boxing.
The last five months have seen her transform from a nervy 25-year-old entering the ring low on confidence into someone who now backs herself to beat the biggest names without an iota of fear in her eyes. Her newfound attitude she sums up in three words:“Main maar doongi”.
Facing two of India’s toughest opponents in back-to-back matches in the trials, Sakshi showcased her newfound confidence and defeated them with tactical perfection.
Taking on Nikhat Zareen, Indian boxing’s biggest name in the 51kg category and a two-time world champion, in the semifinal for the first time, Sakshi entered the ring with a well-studied strategy to prevent her opponent from coming inside her punching zone. She executed the plan brilliantly to beat Nikhat 4-1.
On Friday, Sakshi maintained her momentum and defeated Minakshi, last year’s World Championships gold medallist in the 48kg category. The nimble-footed boxer produced a clinical performance, outfoxing Minakshi with precise left punches while consistently denying her the space to move in and attack. Her superior reach also played a crucial role in helping her get the better of the aggressive Minakshi.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
