Boxing Nationals: After losing CWG, Asiad trials, Minakshi stuns World Champion Nitu Ghanghas | Sport-others News

24-year-old Minakshi sized up 2023 World Championship gold medall Nitu Ghanghas for more than a minute in the first round of the 48kg quarter-finals at the ongoing Women’s Boxing Nationals in Greater Noida. Minakshi had lost to Nitu twice before – once in the Commonwealth Games trial in 2022 and then for the Asian Games trials in 2023. This time though, things would be different.
As Nitu started attacking, Minakshi followed the plan set her coach Vijay Hooda to counter her moving sideways and then landing her shots. She moved away from Nitu’s punches and landed two clean jabs in return. The boxer from Rohtak stuck to that strategy and counter-attacked relentlessly to nullify Nitu’s charge in the subsequent rounds to clinch the bout and knock out the 48 kg World Champion, a stunning result for everyone at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida.
“My gameplay is similar to hers (Nitu) and we both counter-attack. The plan was to fend off her attack and then land my punches. I was a little nervous as Nitu is a World Champion but sticking to the plan helped me,” said Minakshi after the bout.
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Minakshi and her coach Vijay had carefully devised the strategy of counter attacking sidestepping after she lost to Nitu on the two previous occasions. “Minakshi’s previous bout against Nitu was very closely fought and after the result didn’t go in our favour, we decided to come up with this strategy. I wanted her to dominate the bout so there is no room for a split decision. She completely outplayed her today and it has come after two years of hard work,” Vijay Hooda told The Indian Express.
It’s been a long journey for the coach-student duo who have been training together for the past 12 years. “I started training under Vijay sir when I was a kid. He has been with me for the past 12 years and takes care of everything including my strength, conditioning and nutrition,” said Minakshi.
Humble beginnings
Hailing from Rurki village in Rohtak drict of Haryana, Minakshi is the youngest of four siblings. Born to a father who drives an auto rickshaw, Minakshi’s interest in boxing was initially not received well her family. “Nobody has played any sport in my family. I was the first one to pick any sport. I used to see the kids in my neighborhood boxing and the sport interested me a lot,” said Minakshi. “It was not easy for me at the start. I come from a poor family and also everyone was hesitant about a girl taking up boxing.”
It was at this point when coach Vijay stepped in recognizing her potential. Story continues below this ad
“Minakshi lives very close to the stadium where I teach. After initial interest in the sport, she started coming to my academy but her family refused to send her. I went to them and convinced them that she (Minakshi) is a talented girl. Eventually, when she started winning at the youth level, they were convinced. When she won the youth national medal and got a job at the All India Police services, that is when everybody stopped doubting her future in the sport,” said Vijay.
Vijay, who runs a boxing academy in Rurki with 70 boxers from the ages of 8 to 25 years, has been managing funds for Minakshi since her junior days. “Since the financial condition of my family is not good, Vijay sir gave me food and clothes, took care of my diet, and gave me money to travel. Now, we have a strength and conditioning coach who was hired recently to work on my power,” said Minakshi.
Long road ahead
Despite playing at the national circuit for the past five years, Minakshi has rarely tested international waters. She has featured in just two major international tournaments as a senior, winning a gold medal at the 2024 Elorda Cup and a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Boxing Championships. “I am yet to play big tournaments at the international level. I used to play in the 52 kg category earlier but dropped to 48 as my natural weight used to be around 49 kg always,” said Minakshi.
Minakshi plans to continue in the same category with tournaments like Asian Games and Commonwealth Games coming up next year. “We have our eyes set on the upcoming Commonwealth Games as Minakshi has never played a multi-sporting tournament. With this win against Nitu, she is more confident now,” Vijay concluded. Minakshi will face Sanjana of Delhi in the semi-final of the Boxing Nationals on Wednesday.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd

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