Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ News / India/  This man has been on unpaid leave for 3 years to train daughter, India’s golden girl Nitu Ghanghas
BackBack

This man has been on unpaid leave for 3 years to train daughter, India’s golden girl Nitu Ghanghas

Father Jai Bhagwan has been on unpaid leave to fuel Nitu Ghanghas' boxing dreams.

Birmingham: Gold medalist India's Nitu Ghanghas during the presentation ceremony of the women's over 45-48kg (Minimumweight) boxing event, at the Commonwealth Games 2022 (CWG) in Birmingham, UK, Sunday, Aug 7, 2022. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) (PTI)Premium
Birmingham: Gold medalist India's Nitu Ghanghas during the presentation ceremony of the women's over 45-48kg (Minimumweight) boxing event, at the Commonwealth Games 2022 (CWG) in Birmingham, UK, Sunday, Aug 7, 2022. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) (PTI)

Young Indian boxer Nitu Ghanghas dedicated the gold medal she won at the Commonwealth Games 2022 to her devoted father Jai Bhagwan, who did everything in his power to support his daughter's aspirations. Bhagwan, a worker at the Haryana government, has been training Nitu, a two-time World Youth champion, during his three years of unpaid vacation.

As Nitu stood on the stage on Sunday with the gold medal around her neck, all the sacrifices looked to have been worthwhile. The 21-year-old is a formidable force within the ring but comes across as extremely bashful outside of it. When she speaks, you hardly hear her voice.

Also Read: India now among top 5 countries as per medal tally

Nitu had to be led out of the mixed zone and into a corner designated for television interviews since the cries of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" at the temporary stands inside the National Exhibition Centre here made the atmosphere noisier.

"The greatest feeling was to see the Tricolour going up, one of my long-standing wishes was fulfilled today. I'm thankful for everyone's blessings... this medal is for our fellow countrymen and father (Jai Bhagwan)," Nitu told PTI.

Also Read: India's Eldhose Paul, Abdulla Aboobacker win gold, silver in triple jump

"Koi kasar nahi chhoda unhone mere liye. He has not left any stone unturned and gone through many hardships but always ensured that I get the best. I would not be here without him."

Nitu's personality changes as she enters the ring. Her trainer refers to her as the ring's "Gabbar Sherni."

"She's always been like that. Even at the camp or outside, you would hardly get to hear the voice, she hardly talks but inside the ring, she's like a 'Gabbar Sherni'," said her India coach Bhaskar Chandra Bhatt.

Also Read: Pakistani journalist lauds PM Modi’s gesture for heartbroken wrestler

Picked for her maiden CWG in place of her 'idol' and six-time world champion Mary Kom, who got injured, Nitu was unstoppable.

"Mary Kom ma'am ki jagah ek alagh hi hai (She has a different place altogether). She has given an identity to Indian boxing on the global stage. I'm nowhere in front of her," the unassuming Nitu told PTI.

After her selection, Nitu was seen as the 'next Mary Kom' but the boxer prefers not to give any attention to the "talks".

Also Read: Vinesh Phogat wins gold in freestyle wrestling

"When I'm inside the ring, I'm clueless about the outside world and what's going on around me, I just give it all."

Just three months back, Nitu missed out on a World Championship medal, crashing out in the quarterfinal after a bout of fever.

"I had a fever the whole night and could not sleep. But thankfully this time there was no such thing," she remembers about her loss to Kazakhstan's Alua Balkibekova 2-3 in the quarters.

A day after her win via RSC (referee-stops-contest) in the semis, Nitu outpunched the local favourite Demie-Jade Resztan, a 2019 World Championship bronze and European silver medalist.

"I would say this is just the beginning for her. There are more good things in store for her," Bhatt said of Nitu.

(With PTI inputs)

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 07 Aug 2022, 08:44 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App