Hitesh Gulia: From Fitness Enthusiast to Boxing Champion

New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) – A decade ago, a young boy with a bit extra weight strolled into a stadium in Jhajjar, gently nudged by his family to lose some weight and get fitter. Today, 21-year-old Hitesh Gulia is creating waves in the international boxing arena, boasting gold and silver wins in the World Cups in Brazil and Kazakhstan, respectively.

Recalling the start of his journey, Hitesh remembers how it all began. "When we relocated from Jahangirpur village to Jhajjar town in 2015, we discovered a local stadium there. My parents encouraged me to visit, do some running, and get fit because I was literally in the fourth grade weighing about 50-55kg," Hitesh shared with PTI. Initially, there was no intention of taking up boxing professionally.

He continued, "I approached the area where boxing training was held and decided to participate to get fit. The idea of boxing as a career never crossed my mind at that point. But one day, the coach gave me a pair of gloves and asked me to spar.

In the beginning stages of boxing training, sparring is limited, focusing instead on stamina building and reflex sharpening. "I threw punches at my opponent, and the coach noticed potential. Shortly after, I was chosen to represent in a district-level tournament for my state. Despite losing my first bout, my family believed I could pursue boxing," recollected the youthful fighter.

Hitesh’s father, Satyaprakash, made monumental contributions to his son’s success while working as a taxi driver for a private company. Modest in means, Hitesh, the youngest of five siblings, praises his father for bearing the family’s burdens.

"My father drove a cab. How we managed financially remains a mystery to me, but my father sacrificed plenty in silence. Often working double shifts, despite knee troubles, all he told me was: 'Don’t worry, leave the finances to me,'" Hitesh shared. "Without him, I would not be where I am today," added the boxer, who has two sisters and two brothers.

Support soon came from the JSW Foundation, but a pivotal career moment was in 2022 when Asian Championships gold medalist Suranjoy Singh, now a coach in the Indian Navy, discovered Hitesh at the Bhiwani Sports Authority of India Centre. The Indian boxing stalwart, who bagged eight consecutive international golds between 2009 and 2010, saw the spark in the 17-year-old Hitesh and offered him a place with the Indian Navy.

"Joining the Navy was life-changing as it allowed me to ask my father to stop driving, especially given his knee pain. He eventually underwent surgery in 2023," Hitesh revealed. Hitesh was not only provided financial security by the Navy but was also blessed with the chance to train with some of India's finest boxers.

Guided by Suranjoy, Hitesh's understanding of boxing, especially mental resilience, evolved significantly. "He instilled in me the importance of willpower in boxing. The ring is akin to a battlefield; willpower is essential to fight," Hitesh said. "Suranjoy's famous bout against a Cuban opponent demonstrated immense fighting spirit despite the loss," he added. "Watching him, you become inspired to emulate his tenacity."

Hitesh earned a spot in the national camp in March last year. From there, he clinched the 2024 National Championships and bagged a gold medal at the National Games earlier this year.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)