Boxer Jamuna Boro determined to leave a mark at India Open

Guwahati: Almost a decade ago, little Jamuna Boro left home for the love of the game. A resident of remote Belsiri village, in Assam’s Sonitpur district, she always loved sports and fell in love with wushu at a tender age. But later she shifted to boxing. It was difficult for her to pursue her dream after losing her father when she was just 10. But her mother Nirmali Boro took all the pain to help her in realising her dreams. Braving all the odds, Jamuna struck gold at the 1st Sub-Junior Women National Boxing Championship, 2010 in Tamil Nadu. And thereafter, no looking back! The good run continued and in the 2nd Nations Cup International Sub-Junior Girls Boxing Tournament held in Serbia, she again won gold in 2013. Now, she has a major tournament that too in her home state – the 2

nd edition of India Open Boxing Tournament. A determined Jamuna is ready to leave a mark. The 22-year old pugilist in 54kg said that she is determined to do well and get gold at Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium, in Guwahati as the tournament begins from May 20. “This time I’m targeting gold. Last time I won bronze so this time definitely gold would make me happy. I will try my best to achieve that. This is a huge tournament for us and it’s great to play in front of the home crowd. My preparation is also going on and I’m quite positive,” Jamuna told The Bridge. She even has asked her mother and other family members to be a part of the final bout.

“My mother and other family members are willing to come to watch me live in the tournament. But I have asked them to come in the final match so that they can watch me winning the gold…that would be a dream,” Jamuna added. In her weight category, there are three other Indian boxers – Meenakumari Devi Maisnam, Shiksha and Sandhyarani Devi Yengkhom. After this the next major tournament is the World Championships which is her next target. “We all are eyeing the World Championship now. And obviously, like every player or boxer, to take part in the Olympics and to win a medal will be the ultimate goal for me,” said Jamuna who silver in the Belgrade Boxing Championship last year.

The 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships will be held in Yekaterinburg, Russia from September 7 to September 21.

Jamuna who idolises Mary Kom and Nicola Adams of Britain is also highly impressed by Raffaele Bergamasco, the foreign coach of the women team. “We have gained a lot. Sir has helped us to grow with technique. I think the women team has performed much better under his guidance,” she added. Jamuna Boro with her coach Raffaele Bergamasco. Also Read: Ankushita eyes a golden comeback at India Open Jamuna is among the seven boxers to be in the team India from the home state Assam. Ankushita Boro, the AIBA Youth World Champion is also participating in the tournament and making her senior debut. Both Jamuna and Ankushita hail from remote areas from Assam’s Sonitpur district. Jamuna said that she wants both her and Ankushita who fights in 64kg to win Gold and bring glory for the country. In 2017, the photo of her mother selling vegetable went viral on social media and brought national attention. “She is doing fine now,” Jamuna said when she was asked about her mother.