Her-yana heroes: Bhiwani erupts with joy over UK boxing glory

ROHTAK: ‘Who will marry her if she breaks her nose…' Before India's star women boxers from Haryana -- Minakshi Hooda, Jaismine Lamboria, Nupur and Pooja Bohra -- punched their way to the world podium, they had to knock down taunts like these.And those who always stood by their corner and cheered – their parents and coaches – can today thump a fist in the air."Earlier Roodki village was known for its truck drivers but Minkashi has given us a new name – ‘boxer ladkiyo wala ganv' (boxing girls' village), said her father Srikrishan Hooda, who drives a second-hand autorickshaw. The same men who shook their heads and said women shouldn't box today give a nod of respect, said her coach Vijay.Known across the country as ‘Mini Cuba' for producing a string of world-class boxers, including Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, Haryana's Bhiwani has once again lived up to its reputation with women pugilists stamping their authority at the recent World Boxing Championship in Liverpool, England.Minakshi of Rohtak punched her way to India's second gold at the tournament, beating Kazakh boxer Nazym Kyzaibay in the final by a split decision.

Leading the charge, Jaismine won gold in the 57kg category, with a thumping victory over Poland's Olympic medallist Julia. Nupur won silver in the 80+ kg division, while Pooja added to the tally with a bronze in the 80kg category.The stunning podium finish sparked jubilation in Bhiwani. Residents celebrated, proud that the "boxing nursery of India" continues to shine on the world map.Two things stand out among all four boxers – their steely determination and their families' unstinting ringside support.Jaismine comes from a family of sportsmen. Her great grandfather, heavyweight boxer Hawa Singh, was a two-time Asiad gold medallist and her grandfather, Captain (honorary) Chander Bhan Lamboriya, was a wrestler of fame. Two of her uncles – both national champions in boxing – were her mentors.And it was Nupur's grandfather, Captain Hawa Singh Sheoran -- a heavyweight national champion -- who opened the first boxing academy in Bhiwani.At Jaismine's home, her parents Jaiveer and Ravinder Kaur, and coach Sandeep couldn't stop smiling. All evening, there was a line of visitors at their home. "We always believed she would bring home a medal. She never skipped training, followed her diet with discipline, and her dedication has paid off," said her father, a home guard.The family has appealed to other parents to support daughters in sports, saying that encouragement at home can propel them to international glory.Ravinder Kaur said: "My daughter has accomplished an amazing feat. This is the first step. She has worked very hard and is highly dedicated to her sport. It is a matter of pride that daughters are bringing glory to the nation. Today, girls are moving far ahead of boys."Jaiveer added: "Our daughter has brought great recognition. This happiness cannot be expressed in words. The joy parents feel at their child's success is beyond description.

We are proud of her. She has achieved all this through sheer hard work."In Minakshi's home in Roodki village of Rohtak district, her gold medal is being celebrated by many upcoming women boxers who come from nearby villages to an academy run by coach Vijay Hooda, who initially faced serious resistance from villagers."People would say, ‘who will marry these girls if they break their nose or cut their faces during boxing?' But the girls who came here were so dedicated that they would drive in on motorcycles from nearby villages before dawn and return after sunset without caring for the comments of villagers.

Now, the same girls are heroes of the ‘uncles' who once criticised them. They call these women boxers their village's pride," Vijay said.Minakshi's father Srikrishan Hooda said she has seen the hard life. "She has seen her parents working 24x7 to run the family and she had the inspiration to do something big for the family. She might not have big resources by her side but the size of her dream to excel in boxing has scripted history," he said, giving a "special thanks" to her coach, Vijay, who initiated girls of the village into boxing.Veteran coach and Bhim Awardee Sanjay Sheoran, who trained Nupur and Pooja, said, "It's a matter of great pride that all three medal winners hail from Bhiwani. Their success reinforces why this town is called Mini-Cuba."Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda has congratulated Minakshi, Jasmine, Nupur and Pooja.