After learning harsh lessons at Olympics, boxer Jaismine makes changes in technique | Sport-others News

Boxer Jaismine Lamboria is remodelling her game plan after returning without a medal at the Asian Games and following a first round exit at the Paris Olympics.The evidence of change was visible when Jaismine came out charging against Hannah Joy of Tamil Nadu in the quarter-finals (57kg) at the ongoing Women’s Boxing Nationals in Greater Noida.
In the past, Jasmine had paid the price for being defensive when under attack. Here Hannah was overwhelmed Jaismine’s aggression. There’s a gulf in class between the quality of boxers at the Asian Games or the Olympics Games and the Nationals, but Jaismine’s learnt from her makes and is course-correcting.While training at the Services Sports Control Board’s training facility at the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in Pune, with coaches Mohammad Ehteshamuddin and Chote Lal Yadav, Jaismine made notable changes. She is now the aggressor from the first bell, and does not go into a shell if she is under attack but counterpunches. Her energy levels used to drop after the first round. Now, her endurance has improved. The five-foot nine-inch tall boxer has also reduced backpedalling.
“The Olympics was a big learning experience. I picked up so many things watching the elite athletes. I think there were a few issues I identified after coming back from Paris, like strength and mindset issues when playing a tough opponent. After returning from Paris, I started working on these issues,” 23-year-old Jaismine told The Indian Express.
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When Jaismine lost to Won Un-gyong of North Korea in the quarter-finals of the Asian Games 2023, her mental strength and strategy in the ring were questioned.Jaismine won the first round 5-0 yet didn’t have an answer when her opponent came out all guns blazing in the second round. She was outpunched, with the referee stopping the bout.
At the Paris Olympics, Jaismine was knocked out in the first round Filipino boxer Nesthy Petecio unanimous decision.
Jaismine is still work in progress, Chote Lal, well-known as Olympic medall Mary Kom’s coach, said.
“It will take time for Jaismine to change her approach, as she has been boxing like this for years now. One of the first things we started working on post-Paris is her aggression. She needs to counter-punch when the opponents try to dominate and put pressure back on them. Jaismine could not do that at the Asian Games but she had learnt from her makes,” Chote Lal said.Story continues below this ad
Conserving her energy and also improving endurance is also extremely important if Jaismine is to keep pace with the best in the business.
“It is important in boxing to start well and finish well, also. Jaismine starts well in the first round but loses energy the end of the second round.
Currently, we are working with strength and conditioning coaches at ASI who have developed a plan for Jaismine. There are specific exercises that she is doing to maintain the same energy levels throughout the bout,” Ehteshamuddin said.
Another important lesson learnt was during the bout at the Olympics against Petecio. Despite her height advantage over Nesthy, Jaismine was backpedalling too much. Jaismine tried to use her reach to land some punches, but the Filipino was agile and got away.Story continues below this ad
“If you remember the bout against Nesthy, Jaismine was constantly backpedalling. We are planning to change that. Currently, we are working to improve her footwork. Our focus is on improving the finer aspects of her technique. She is now not always going backwards, she moves sideways instead of backpedalling now,” Chote Lal said.
Two competitions in three months has helped Jaismine test the changes she had made in her technique. “I am happy with my progress now and will look to participate in an international tournament before the Commonwealth Games next year,” Jaismine said.
Jaismine will face Vishakha of Punjab in the semi-final on Wednesday. Whichever way the result goes, Jaismine won’t take a step back in the ring.
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