NAGPUR’S pride “an intelligent and devoted boxer” Alfiya Tarannum Pathan lived up to the expectations winning first gold medal for India in the 30th Adriatic Pearl Tournament in Budva, Montenegro with impressive display. The 2019 Asian Junior Girls Champion, Alfiya, who turned 18 on February 18, showed superb form and fitness to notch up an easy 5-0 win against Daria Kozorev of Moldova in the 81+kg category and earned the first gold medal for India. Alfiya looked in complete control throughout the match and made the opponent work hard with her swift movement and precise punches to give herself a perfect birthday gift with an easy win.

 

The southpaw boxer, who took to the sport in 2017, has not looked back since. She has been training with NIS boxing coach Ganesh Purohit in the city and under India coaches at Khelo India camp in Rohtak. “She is a very dedicated and devoted player. She never comes up with any excuses for training and is always there...raring to go. Apart from that she is very intelligent and has a very good grasping power. You don’t need to tell her the same thing again and again,” said Purohit showering praises on his protege while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ on Saturday. Student of Class XI of Saraswati Junior College, Koradi, Alfiya is also lucky to have a supportive family.

 

“For a player to succeed, he or she must have that player-coach-parent triangle in perfect order. She has got very supportive parents and that helps a lot. Family support has helped her to be in very good mental health. Most of the boxers are from Punjab, Haryana or Assam and to be able to fight them, one needs to be mentally sound,” said Purohit. Indian boxers are doing well and the contingent is assured of 12 medals with 5 women eyeing golds and two male and female boxers in contention to reach the finals.