Gaining weight doesn't mean eating more: Boxer Meenakshi Hooda on her move to 51kg

Meenakshi Hooda was only 12 when she stepped into a boxing ring for the first time. Over the years, she has steadily turned her dreams into reality, climbing the ranks to become a world champion and recently extended her reign as World No. 1 in the 48kg category.

But the World Championship title she won last year remains the defining moment of her journey that once began in a small village boxing centre.

"Becoming a world champion is everyone's dream, and it was my dream too. And when I did become one and stood on the podium, the Indian flag was at the top. That was the proudest moment of my life," Meenakshi told The Bridge.

The world champion has trained under Vijay Hooda for the last 12 years, believes coaches are the ones who understand athletes better than their own families.

"My family doesn’t know much about boxing. So sometimes my parents and family only see that I didn’t win a medal. But my coach knows how much I have trained. He knows how much I have suffered and sacrificed," she asserted.

During the recent Asian Games trials in Patiala last month, the Rohtak boxer opted for a higher category as her weight category was not part of the Glasgow and Aichi Nagoya programme. She, however, lost to Sakshi Choudhary in the 51kg final.

"I used to play in the 48kg category. Now, I am playing at 51kg," she said.

As she prepares for a new weight category and a crucial year ahead, the World No. 1 knows the challenges are only getting tougher. While the physical demands of reducing weight often brings along dehydration and weakness, Minakshi shares that increasing weight presents a different set of hurdles altogether.

"When we are going to another weight, there are better boxers. We have to do more training than what we are doing. We have to train more than what we are doing now. We have to do double training if we want to prove ourselves," she pointed.

"And gaining weight doesn’t mean you just eat more food and gain weight. It takes time to gain muscle weight," she explained.

Minakshi along with other team members will be heading to the World Boxing Cup 2026 (Stage 2), scheduled to take place in Guiyang, China from June 15-21.

"I just want to give my best and win a medal for my country," she said.

What aids her belief is financial support from Raise Financial Services under the 'Momentum by Raise' Programme that has allowed Minakshi to focus on training rather than worrying about the expenses.

"Thanks to Momentum by Raise, in the last three months, I didn't have to think about how much money I need to spend. Everything I need is available which allows me to focus completely on my training," she concluded.