India has witnessed the rise of the daughter of a rice cropper,in a small village in Meghalaya, she is our very own M.C. Mary Kom. The winner of 6 world championships amongst many more of her achievements, and the first woman competitor from the Indian subcontinent in the sport of boxing to win a bronze medal in the London Olympics 2012.
Over the past couple of years, India has emerged as a sports enthusiast country with women not only excelling in main stream sports like Tennis and Badminton but also “not so popular” games like wrestling and boxing.
Boxing as a sport in India has not gained much of attention by the media that seems to be caught in the clenches of covering cricketing tournaments and other games like Tennis and Badminton
Today we welcome one of the few, the immensely talented international level boxer, who is here with us for the 9Th edition of our “Friendly Fridays”. Aakansksha Mishra, who is currently doing B.A Programme from the, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi.
ED Team: What place does the sport of boxing hold in your life?
Aakanksha Mishra: it holds the most important place in my life because it does not only make me and my family proud but also the country. Well, it also gives me an opportunity to thrash my opponent and take my anger out on her.
ED Team: Did you start boxing because of role model?
Aakanksha Mishra: (Haha) I didn’t start because I idolised a role model, however I have great respect for Mary Kom and Laila Ali who give me endless inspiration.
ED Team: As much as family support is essential to confidence building, very often parents don’t believe in unconventional options. So tell us, were your parents all supportive or did you have to box your way out?
Aakanksha Mishra: Yes, I absolutely agree that parental support in any field is extremely important, I am lucky that my parents have been extremely supportive throughout.
ED Team : What made you choose this sport amongst all the sports?
Aakanksha Mishra: I chose boxing as I was naturally interested in the sport and realised my passion for the game. Eventually I can say that I fell in love with it and a need to think about any other sport didn’t arise.
ED Team: When did you start boxing?
Aakanksha Mishra: I started boxing about 5 years ago in April 2009. I started practicing in the Munrika Boxing Academy, New Delhi.
ED Team: Would you like to share the experience of your first international match?
Aakanksha Mishra: My first international match was Second Nations Cup, Serbia Europe in January 2013. I was fortunate enough to win laurels the country when I clinched a silver medal. That has so far been the best day of my life. Moreover wearing India’s jersey and playing in an international ring wearing India’s kit is the most memorable moment of my entire sporting career.
ED Team: How has boxing helped you grow as a sports person?
Aakanksha Mishra: It provided me with a bigger platform where I could evaluate myself in a more competitive environment. Once I realised competition motivated me, I performed better subsequently. But soon I realised I got bored of competing with others and started competing with myself. Ever since then, the journey has been dynamic and engaging for me. Boxing has not only made me a better sportsman but also a better human being.
ED Team: If not boxing what other sport would you have taken up?
Aakanksha Mishra: I would have surely taken up Badminton, as I am fond of playing the game. But it definitely would have been sports; I have always found the right channelizing of energy by using sports as a medium.
Ed Team: Where do you think boxing as a sport stand in India? And what do you think India can do to uplift the status of boxing in the country?
Aakanksha Mishra: I think boxing as a sport in India still does not have the stature it deserves. The lack of support by the government, the media and the public has made it stand at a level lower than games like Cricket, Tennis and Badminton. Luckily great players like Mary Kom and Vijender Singh have made the country proud and national as well as international levels. There is a dire need of support on behalf of the government to provide the players with proper coaches and equipments, on behalf of the media to give the sport equal importance like Cricket, Tennis and Badminton. Also the general public should encourage boxers and even parents should encourage their children to join this sport. On a more positive note, commercialisation by Bollywood has definitely upped the sentiment for boxing!
ED Team: What is your core belief in life?
Aakanksha Mishra: My core belief in life lies in being disciplined and focussed and also to work harder than before.
ED Team: Spoken like a true boxer, any words for us?
Aakanksha Mishra: I appreciate this initiative taken by the team of Economy Decoded, it’s a wonderful step and support to cover people like us. It gives the right platform for correct information to travel. Games like boxing will finally come out of cricket shadows!
So this is here we end our this weeks Friendly Fridays. We wish all the very best to Aakanksha and her future goals in the amazing sport.
Watch out for this space for new talents every friday.
Cheers
Team ED
