Former champ Sarita seeks last hurrah at home
NEW DELHI: L Sarita Devi is a pioneer in women’s boxing in India. With MC Mary Kom, she has been the flag-bearer of the sport in India. As the two continue to pile on achievements in the ring, they inspire girls to take up the sport.
Sarita is all geared up for the World Boxing Championships starting here on Thursday. She is aware it could be her world championships farewell and wants to finish on a high in front of her home crowd. She recalls the 2006 New Delhi World Championships where she bagged gold, never looking back. It was India’s most successful outing in the competition, which culminated in eight medals, including four gold. Sarita has also won a silver and bronze at the world championships.
“It was a great feeling to win a gold medal at home. I would like to repeat my performance. I am in good shape and I know I may not be playing the next world championships. Age is catching up, and besides there are family responsibilities,” said Sarita, 36, who will compete in 60kg.
“I want to have another shot at Olympics and that’s why I am still continuing. The next two years are the most important phase for me and I want to give my all, not have any regrets.”
The competition in women’s boxing has become intense since it made Olympic entry in the 2012 London Games. In the Commonwealth Games, Sarita lost in the quarter-final to Anja Stridsman of Australia. Stridsman won gold, beating Murney Paige of England. Both are here and Sarita knows she will have to be at her very best.
“Even in India there are so many talented girls who are competing. In the national championship that I won this year, I had to fight four bouts before I won gold.
“Competition at world level is very high in my category. Competing against youngsters is not easy. But I have been doing focused training. I did not compete in the Asian Games because coach (Raffaele Bergamasco) wanted me to take a break and focus on the worlds.
“All our preparation this year has surrounded this big event. Now it’s time to deliver,” said Sarita, who won silver at the Indian Open International Championships this year.
Sarita runs an academy in her village in Imphal. “Once I retire, I will be able to give full time to my academy. I am also not able to give time to family because of training. My son (Tumthil) is around five and sometimes he gets very angry. That’s a sacrifice you have to make.”