Vinayak Padmadeo
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 30
For a competition bereft of star power, Gaurav Bidhuri stood out. But India’s newest World Championships medallist wasn’t in the ring. For the last two days, the bantamweight (56kg) pugilist has been watching from the sidelines as senior international boxing returned to these shores after over a decade.
The 24-year-old, who took a two-month break after his World Championships bronze medal in August-September last year, fell ill just weeks before the ongoing India Open and had to sit out of the $100,000 event.
“I was supposed to take part in this competition but I was down with viral fever for 10 days,” said Bidhuri, who became the fourth Indian male to win a medal at the Worlds after Vijender Singh, Vikas Krishan and Shiva Thapa.
“I am feeling a little left out as this event is happening in India. To perform in front of home crowds is another feeling,” he added. “Look how the crowd is cheering for the Indian boxers. I wish I was there (in the ring).”
Breaking quarters barrier
Bidhuri was criticised in the past for failing to get a major medal. Right from his Junior World Championships days, he was losing at the quarterfinals stage. Even at the Asian Championships in April-May, he was beaten at the last-eight stage. “I began competing in the seniors in 2011 but I wasn’t getting any medal. I used to lose in the quarterfinals every time. I was criticised for those results. Some even raised objections as to why I was getting so many chances,” Bidhuri said.
“I changed my weight category and went up to bantamweight but lost in the quarterfinals in Asian Championships again. So, when I reached the quarterfinals in the World Championships, the same thoughts of losing again were weighing me down,” he said. “When I won the quarterfinal, I was so happy. I thought that the mental barrier was broken. After getting that medal, I am so positive. I feel I can do much better.”
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