Mohammad Hussamuddin needn’t look past his household for steering in boxing. His father is a boxing coach and 4 of the six brothers have donned the gloves. It was thus no shock that Hussamuddin turned a boxer, rising essentially the most profitable one within the household at that.
Considered one of India’s high boxers, the 28-year-old discovered contemporary momentum in 2022, profitable the 57kg bronze on the Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham and within the Asian Championships.
After a profitable 2018-19, he was a powerful contender to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics however couldn’t make it. Earlier than the primary qualifiers, he misplaced within the home trials to Gaurav Solanki, and the second Olympic qualifier by no means occurred due to Covid. No Indian boxer certified in 57kg class regardless of a powerful line-up at home stage.
Having shrugged off the frustration and made a powerful comeback, Hussamuddin is once more nursing the dream to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. His quest begins on the ongoing Nationwide Championships in Hisar, Haryana.
“My purpose is to win the nationwide title and grow to be India No 1 within the class. That may assist me get extra alternatives subsequent yr and put together for the Asian Video games, which is a qualifier for Paris.”
“It has been a superb yr (2022) for me. I’ve acquired some good wins and the medals at CWG and Asian Championships have boosted my confidence. However it would come to nothing If I’m not capable of make it to the Olympics this time. I’ve been working onerous so lengthy solely to characterize India on the Olympics and I need to give it my finest shot.”
In that respect, CWG was an essential vacation spot although an harm nearly dashed his hopes. Three weeks earlier than Birmingham, he suffered a ligament tear in his left thumb throughout the choice trials.
“There was not a lot time to get better absolutely. The crew physician and physio did an important job. Within the first two bouts I used to be in actual fact largely combating with one hand. I used to be in ache and generally the realm was getting hit. I used to be in two minds going for my assaults.
“However progressively it acquired higher and I used to be extra assured within the quarter-finals. It was a troublesome bout and I’m pleased I gained it regardless of the wrestle with harm.”
He defeated Tryagain Ndevelo of Namibia in a detailed battle earlier than shedding to Joseph Commey of Ghana in one other powerful struggle within the semis.
Hussamuddin says he learns with each loss and strikes on. He additionally gained the Nationwide Video games title beating two high boxers in his class—Rohit Mor who beat him within the earlier Nationals and world youth champion Sachin Siwach.
“I by no means quit. I misplaced to Mor final time and labored on my recreation. I’ve improved my footwork and developed my in-and-out recreation. Each loss motivates me to do higher.”
When he feels down after defeats grow to be sore, his boxing household lifts him. Not having the ability to make it to the crew for Olympic qualifiers in 2020 was one in every of his lowest level. His father and coach Md Shamsuddin and his brothers acquired him again to trace.
“My father is a coach, three of my brothers have competed internationally. One brother is coach with Railways. They’ve all pinned their hopes on me and don’t let me really feel low. They information me, help me and maintain telling me that ‘you might have come to this point in your journey that a couple of extra steps will get you to attain your dream’.”