It was a moment that echoed the 2017 Oscars’ infamous goof-up, where La La Land was mistakenly announced as the best picture instead of Moonlight. At the Boxing Nationals in Greater Noida on Saturday, 2023 World Championships bronze medallist boxer Hussamuddin got to experience first-hand what it felt like to lose and then win.
Taking on Sachin Siwach in the men’s 60kg final, Hussamuddin had won the bout by split decision by 3-2 but his opponent was awarded the bout due to the announcer making an error. However, the decision was reversed and Hussamuddin became the national champion on his return to the boxing ring after a long hiatus.
Hussamuddin, who was at his best during the 2023 World Championships, suffered an unfortunate knee injury during the quarter-final bout in the event that gave him a bronze. While he made a comeback from the knee injury six months later and played in the 2024 Olympics qualifier, he suffered another knuckle injury, which would sideline him for more than 20 months.
“This year is very important for me. I was injured for a long time and I wanted to prove myself. Many people told me to give up but I knew that I still have something left in me to offer at the elite level. Given this year has major tournaments like Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, I am glad that I won the title,” an emotional Hussamuddin said after winning the national title.
Fighting youngsters
Like an old workhorse, Hussamuddin grinded for all his wins in the tournament against younger opponents coming down from a lost round in every bout. Up against Sachin in the final, who has been India’s go-to boxer in the 60 kg category, the script was no different. While Sachin was faster and won the first round 4-1, the pugilist from Nizamabad used his wealth of experience to overturn the bout in the next two rounds.
“In the first round, I usually try to gauge the opponent and decide my strategy accordingly. It is like an old habit to me but I know I have to improve this thing,” he said.
Sparring partners in the Services camp, Sachin surprised Hussamuddin by playing the waiting game in the first round. “Surprisingly, Sachin didn’t attack in the first round, going against his usual plans. When I realized that, I decided to attack more in the second and third, which led to me winning both rounds,” he explained.
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Services head coach Hari Beniwal acknowledged that despite returning from an injury for a long time, Hussamuddin is the finest India has in this category. “He is an experienced boxer and you don’t have any substitute for that. He has to work on his power but for now, I think he has done considerably well in coming back from the injury and winning the national title,” Hari said.
Hussamuddin will be part of the national camp starting from January 12th where he will be assessed with three other boxers in the category for the upcoming Asian Championships in March.
Battles beyond the ring
One of the reasons Hussamuddin got emotional after the victory was the heavy weight of missing a chance to represent India at the Olympics.
“He was doing really well in 2023, and we were sure that he would go to the Paris Olympics. When the knee surgery happened, he made a comeback in six months but he was not the same, given the short time he had to prepare for the qualifiers. Missing the Olympics berth was a big blow for him,” Aitesamuddin, his elder brother and coach of the Services women’s team, told The Indian Express.
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Hussamuddin was also battling the feeling of being replaced by someone faster and younger, but his belief in his own capabilities kept him grinding.
“A lot of people said that he should leave the game as he is nearing 30. But he is dedicated and keeps fighting. Staying away from family when you are not doing anything but just recovering is tough,” Aitesamuddin said. “But we also know it was important for him to stay dedicated during this period. His consistency has led him to triumph over the boxers in this nationals.”
Results:
Men’s: 50 kg: Vishwanath (SSCB), 55 kg: Jadumani Singh (SSCB), 60 kg: Hussamuddin (SSCB), 65 kg: Aditya Pratap (SSCB), 70 kg: Hitesh (SSCB), 75 kg: Sumit (SSCB),80 kg: Ankush Panghal (SSCB), 85 kg: Lokesh (SSCB), 90 kg: Harsh (Rajasthan), 90+ kg: Narender (SSCB)
Women’s: 48 kg: Minakshi Hooda (AIP), 51 kg: Nikhat Zareen (Telangana), 54 kg: Preeti Pawar (SSCB), 57 kg: Prachi (RSPB), 60 kg: Priya (RSPB), 65 kg: Pranjal Yadav (SSCB), 70 kg: Arundhati Choudhary (SSCB), 75 kg: Lovlina Borgohain (Assam), 80 kg: Pooja Rani (Haryana), 80+ kg: Alfiya Khan (RSPB)
