Minakshi's Journey to Boxing Glory

 From humble beginnings, Minakshi has risen to the pinnacle of the boxing world. The 24-year-old from the village of Rurki has just won a gold medal in the women's 48kg category at the World Championships in Liverpool, defeating three-time World Champion Nazym Kzaibay of Kazakhstan in the final. Her victory is a testament to her determination, her family’s support, and the guidance of her coach.

An Unlikely Rise

Minakshi's journey is an improbable one. Her father, Srikrishan Hooda, has been an autorickshaw driver in Rohtak, Haryana, for nearly three decades, barely making enough to support his family. He worried about the cost of raising a sportsperson and was initially against Minakshi's wish to pursue boxing. The family had no history of playing sports.

The turning point was the village's self-taught coach, Vijay Hooda, who started a boxing academy in 2013 to keep local kids out of trouble. Seeing Minakshi's potential—her height and light frame—he convinced her father to let her train, promising to cover many of her expenses.

Coach Hooda's support was crucial. "Vijay sir supported me a lot in the early part of my career," Minakshi said. "He paid for my milk, fruit, and my kit."

Srikrishan, seeing his daughter's dedication, also did everything he could to support her, even borrowing money to fund her trips to championships.

A Career on the Rise

Minakshi's hard work paid off. In 2019, she won gold at the Youth Nationals, and in 2021, she earned a silver at the Senior National Championships, losing a close match to eventual two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen. This performance led to a major breakthrough: a government job with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

"That job took care of a lot of the financial trouble in our family," Minakshi shared. "I was even able to get my father his own autorickshaw so he didn't have to rent one anymore."

With her financial worries eased, Minakshi focused on her game, winning two more national titles and beating former World Champion Neetu Ghanghas twice. National Chief Coach D. Chandralal highlights her height and excellent straight punches as her main strengths.

International Success

Minakshi's international results have been just as impressive. On her path to the World Championships final, she defeated two-time Asian bronze medallist Lutsaikhany Altensetseg of Mongolia.

In the final, she was up against Nazym Kyzaibay, a formidable opponent who had beaten her earlier in the year. Despite the pressure, Minakshi fought with confidence. The match was a nail-biter, with the score tied heading into the final round. Minakshi's superior technique and strategic jabs secured her the win by a 4-1 split decision.

For Minakshi, the victory was the fulfillment of a long-held dream. For her father, it was a moment beyond his wildest imagination. A day before the final, he ended his workday early to watch his daughter fight, simply saying, "I hope Minakshi does well. I only drive an autorickshaw, but it will be good to see her on top of the world."

And there she was, in Liverpool, with a gold medal around her neck and a smile that lit up the world. As she told a reporter, "I wanted to become the world champion, and now I've achieved that.