Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Dispatches from the world of Indian boxing tell of a land without sleep. Once again Jitender Kumar had a sleepless night before his quarter-final bout. For company and reassurance he kept up Akhil Kumar, who replaced coach BI Fernandes at the ring as the second official allowed. He lost.
Vijender Kumar won his middleweight 75 kg bout to get India its first Olympics boxing medal, a medal whose colour will be determined in coming days. And what does he tell you when he dances out victorious from the ring? 8220;I didn8217;t sleep all night.8221; And as you worry about the sleep deficit accruing to this 6 ft Bhiwani boy, he gives you a high five and promises, 8220;Tonight I will sleep properly.8221;
Akhil had said before the match that it is a joy to find all and sundry criticising their strategies, because it reflects a new-found popularity for Indian boxing. Strategies apart, we are finding out that our boxers cannot stand still after a bout. As Vijender hops from foot to foot, the enthusiasm revives him. 8220;I am going to enjoy my next bout,8221; he says. 8220;It8217;ll be fun.8221; So, what8217;s the plan? 8220;To win, to win, to win.8221;
Then the words to be conveyed home: he thanked Ram Singh, Bunty, and his mother and father, for getting him this far on sport8217;s biggest stage.
Jitender 8212; flyweight 51 kg 8212; has exited that stage. The fact that he showed up for the bout was an achievement kept secret till the end. He had 10 stitches on his chin. But this is what he8217;s learnt by getting so far: 8220;We work hard and prepare as well as anybody else. We don8217;t need to be scared.8221; And at just 20, he promises, 8220;I8217;ll be there in London 2012.8221;
For that, he too deserves a good night8217;s sleep.
