Amily, villagers on cloud nine after boxer Satish’s win

Even before a d of 2000-3000 people d gather outside the house rmer Kiran Pal Singh at auta village, just 10 km Bulandsahr on Thursday ning, a series of special s (prayers) were performed e famous Baba Devi Das ple in the village. l the worshippers had just wish—to see their own Satumar Yadav winning his ut bout in boxing at the o Olympics. e bout started around 8.45 hursday morning, but his wers, fans and childhood ple kept dancing to the tunes of “dhols” (drums) for long.

“I haven’t seen such support for my son (before). Seeing almost 3000 people outside your house is amazing and I am proud that my son has made us hold our heads high, winning in an easy manner,” an elated Kiran Pal Singh said.

The 32-year-old Satish, India’s first boxer in the superheavyweight category at the Olympic Games, kept throwing his punches at the face of Jamaican Ricardo Brown, while clinching the issue with a scoreline of 4-1.

“I was sure about his winning as he (Satish) had told me he would not let me down at nal bout next, will surely be making a podium finish, first by any one from Uttar Pradesh in the individual event in Olympic history.

“I am waiting for his call as his phone is in possession of son’s ability.’

He, however, said that ever since missing the Rio Olympics due to an injury, Satish was committed to his participation in the Tokyo Games.

“He never missed his training and even avoided visiting home even in special circumstances on a number of occasions in the last four year. Before flying to Tokyo, he promised to come back home with a medal and we all are eagerly waiting for his return,” said is father.

Satish’s wife and two kids, too, watched his bout while staying at home in Noida. “My grandkids congratulated me also after their father’s win at no one had recognized his talent. But things changed dramatically when he bagged a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. And now, he has a different reputation. His win at the Olympics has brought a sea change in all our lives.”

“We, including Satish, came to know about boxing only when he joined the Indian army as his elder brother was already there. We all were surprised when he told me that he was doing “mukkebaaji” (boxing) at his centre. Before that such a style of sport was a tool to settle scores with one another in our village,” Kiran Pal laughed.

“I started cautiously as Brown started well in the first round, but once I took hold of the situation, I didn’t stop myself. I was sure about my win after the first two rounds so I chose to play defensively in the third round,” Satish said after his win.

“I was just following the instructions of my coach, who kept guiding me throughput the match. My focus was to stick to my game plan and it paid rich dividends at the end,” said Satish, adding, “For me the Uzbek rival in the quarterfinal would be like any other boxer as I am more focused on my own strength and strategy.”

He also said that so far he