New Delhi: It is rare for a defeat to become a pivotal moment in an athlete's journey. For Abhinash Jamwal, however, the close 3:4 split decision loss to Shiva Thapa in the first round of last year's Boxing Nationals marked a significant turning point.

This setback ultimately motivated him to secure the welterweight (65kg) National Championship title this year. In an impressive performance, the 22-year-old avenged his previous defeat by winning against the defending champion Thapa with a decisive 5:0 unanimous decision in the semi-finals held in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh last week.

Throughout the tournament, he also overcame last year's silver medalist and former Youth Champion Vanshaj Kumar, culminating in his title victory against 2023 bronze medalist Amit in the final match.

“Even though I lost to Shiva bhai, that fight remains my most memorable because I learned a great deal from him,” Jamwal stated to HT.

“I applied what I learned this time around. My coaches advised me to utilize my left hand more effectively and to be more active with my footwork, moving around the ring to tire him out and extend the bout. I focused on incorporating these strategies into my training.”

As Indian male boxers have been experiencing declining results in major competitions, Jamwal's encouraging performance is likely to attract attention, particularly in light of the sport's uncertain prospects for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Recently, another promising Indian boxer, Nishant Dev, has transitioned to professional boxing, and it is anticipated that several others may consider this path. Despite the challenges ahead, Jamwal remains dedicated to establishing his reputation within the amateur circuit for the time being.

I am focusing on my current training and approaching each competition individually, rather than fixating on future events. My priority is to compete in the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics.

His maternal uncle, Rajesh Bhaboria, remains a trusted advisor in his life and encouraged Jamwal to leverage his athleticism and height to pursue boxing. Hailing from Mandi, Jamwal began his training at the age of nine in a local park under the guidance of his initial coach, Joginder Kumar, a police officer in Chandigarh.

“When I began in 2013, I was inspired by many exceptional boxers following the 2012 London Olympics. Watching athletes like Shiva bhai, Vikas Krishan, and Vijender Singh motivated me greatly,” he remarked.

In 2014, he secured a gold medal at the state level, which led to his selection at the National Centre of Excellence in Rohtak, where he currently trains.

Last year, Jamwal participated in the second Olympic qualifiers in Bangkok as a substitute for Thapa, delivering a strong performance that included a unanimous decision victory over Lithuania’s Andriejus Lavrenovas, before being eliminated by Colombia’s Jose Manuel Viafara in the second round.

Based solely on his abilities, Jamwal's peers believe that additional exposure and participation in more tournaments would have contributed to a more successful outcome. His national gold medal marks his first significant achievement, and with the encouragement of his peers and coaches, he possesses the self-confidence to advance to higher levels in the sport.

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