01 August,2015 11:49 AM IST | | Sundari Iyer
Daughter of airport loader clinches U-17 boxing gold after taking up the sport only a one before her maiden tournament
Kiran Pradeep Jaisawal of Marol Manpa Hindi School (Andheri) defeated Darakshabanu Waliullah of Shivajinagar Urdu School (Govandi) 3-2 to win a gold in the girls' U-17 under-44 kg category at the inaugural inter-Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools' boxing championship held at the Rajiv Gandhi District Sports Complex (RGDSC) at Dharavi on Friday.
Kiran Jaisawal. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
Reluctant to box
Amazingly, Kiran, the daughter of an airport loader, took up the sport rather reluctantly only a month back. "I had no clue about boxing till Umesh (Vora) sir came to my school and told us about it.
"Initially, my parents weren't too supportive of me taking it up. But after I trained, I realised that boxing has given me the self-belief that was lacking," said Kiran, who hails from the Indiranagar slum in Marol.
It wasn't easy for coach Vora to convince Kiran's parents to allow her to take up boxing.
"When I called Kiran for trials, her punches were strong and that's why I chose her. But her (Kiran) parents did not think boxing is meant for girls. Today however, she has made me proud by winning gold," said Vora.
Change in routine
Earlier, 14-year-old Kiran's life was only about going to school and then doing household chores like cleaning utensils, sweeping and helping her mother Seema cook.
Now, her routine includes a two-hour training session during weekdays, which she thoroughly enjoys. "Boxing has offered a new lease of life. I was a very shy girl, who was confined to the four walls of my house.
"Taking up boxing has opened new avenues for me. I have become more confident. When I get into the ring, it's like a whole new world, where there are no walls. I enjoy boxing," she said.
