Boxing | Jadumani proves a point after moving to higher weight category

A month ago, Jadumani Singh won India a silver at the World Boxing Cup Finals in the 50kg. On Saturday, the 21-year-old Manipuri proved he was ready for bigger battles after being crowned the National champion in the 55kg, one of the most competitive categories both in India and in the world.

The move was both strategic and personal — Jadumani had struggled to keep cutting his weight for major competitions, affecting his overall performance but the fact that 55kg is the lowest Olympic weight category also played a big role.

“I knew it is very tough to come into 55kg and I had a big point to prove to myself and to everyone, so the win feels really special. To take a five kg leap and win my first senior National medal within a month against the likes of Asian and World Championships medalists including Amit Panghal and Pawan Bartwal shows I deserve to be here. Next up, I hope to qualify and win at the CWG and the Asian Games,” Jadumani told The Hindu.

“When I first decided to shift, everyone was against it, including my family, who reasoned I did not have the height to succeed here. But I knew I had to; every sportsman dreams of winning at the Olympics or Asian Games and if I can’t do that, what’s the use of boxing? I even threatened to quit boxing.

“But I eventually managed to convince my first coach, Leishangthem Chinglen, and also had a lot of support from former World Championship medalist L. Sarita Devi. Our chief coach at SSCB, SK Berwal, also backed me to do well but was also clear that it won’t be easy and that if I did participate in 55kg, I had to win gold else it would set me back by a long way. It’s a relief now,” he laughed.