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Boxing

Indian Boxer NT LalBaikkima stuns World No. 1 and Olympic gold medalist

Indian Boxer NT LalBaikkima stuns World No. 1 and Olympic gold medalist
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Press Release

Published: 9 Jun 2018 4:21 AM GMT
Mizoram's NT Lalbiakkima had the bout of his career after he became the first Indian to beat a reigning Olympic gold medalist. The 22 year old Mizo boxer beat Rio 49kg champion Hasanboy Dusmatov 4-1 in the QF of the Kazakhstan President's Cup. Coming out of nowhere, with no expectations to win, the Mizo boxer pulled off perhaps what will be the biggest upset of his life. NT Lalbiakkima hails from Siaha, a small village close to Aizawl in Mizoram. With an ailing father and mother who sells fish in the local market to run the house life has always been of a challenge for young Lalbiakkima.
"I have watched all his (Dusmatov)videos and its a very special win tonight," said elated Lalbiakkima from Kazakhstan.
While Pro fights are a popular recreational sport for the youngsters in Mizoram, Lalbiakkima was exposed to boxing for the very first time in one of these Pro fights in 2009 and from there his journey with the squared ring took off. While his family's financial situation has never been bright, his love for the game was equally strong. He got selected at the Mizoram Regional Sports Authority Center in 2011 and from 2012 he started staying at the hostel, where his rigorous training and dream of becoming a boxer started taking shape. Hard work and dedication were the only two things that Lalbiakkima had in his possession and winning a bronze in the 2015 Senior Nationals changed his life. His attacking play was something which impressed the Navy Coaches and they selected him up in 2015 to join the Navy. Since then Lalbaillima lives and trains in Navy Nagar, Mumbai under the 2010 CWG Gold medallist, Suranjoy Singh, who is the Chief Coach in Navy. Lalbiakkima attributes his success and style of boxing to his idol Suranjoy who was fondly called the Little Tyson for his aggressive boxing. Lalbiakkima too is a pocket dynamite and the convincing way he defeated Champion boxer and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Hasanboy Dusmatov 4-1 in the quarter final of the President's Cup in Kazakhstan, it will surely mark a new ear for Indian boxing and the Boxers. A feat which no Indian has achieved so far; on his maiden tour for India Lalbiakkima wants to not only finish the campaign in Kazakhstan on a high he also wants to win many more medals for India in the future. On his maiden trip for India he further added; "I used speed along with counter punches & well judged guard to sideline the Champion boxer." "I played the 2017 Senior Nationals in Vishakhapatnam where I won a Bronze. My performance was observed by the Santiago Sir as well as SR Singh Sir and then I was called to come and join the trials for Indian team in Patiala. And since that day, I have been working hard and only dreaming to represent India." "I am thankful to god and all who have helped me in my journey so far", said the emotional boxer. Watch the entire match here.
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