New Delhi: Two and a half years ago, boxer Nikhil Dubey faced the most challenging ordeal of his life—not due to an adversary or the pressures of competition, but because of a personal tragedy that occurred mere hours before his semi-final match at the National Games in Gandhinagar.

His coach, Dhananjaya Tiwary, tragically lost his life in a road accident while en route to support Dubey in his contest against Sumit Kundu.

In the face of this profound loss, Dubey honoured his coach's aspirations by clinching the gold medal.

Last week, Dubey took a moment for quiet reflection, remembering both his coach and his late father after being crowned the national champion in the welterweight (70-75kg) category in Bareilly.

“The circumstances were vastly different back then; I was uncertain about what lay ahead,” he shared with HT. “The teachings of bhaiya continue to resonate with me.”

Dubey triumphed over the defending champion Deepak with a score of 4-1 in an exhilarating final. Hailing from Maharashtra, he competes for the Railways and trains under coach Jaydev Bisht.

Last year, Dubey competed in the 71kg category at the Nationals but did not secure a podium finish, prompting him to return to the 75kg class. He is now considering bulking up to transition to the 80kg weight class, as mandated for the Olympics.

“What I approached differently this time was shifting my focus away from the opponent. Instead, I concentrated on developing a strategy that emphasized my strengths while addressing my weaknesses,” he explained.

Despite the generally lacklustre outcomes in the Indian male boxing scene and the ambiguity surrounding the sport's prospects in the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, Dubey remains committed to advancing his career within the amateur ranks.

Recently, Nishant Dev, who secured a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships, opted to transition to professional boxing following a disappointing defeat at the Paris Olympics. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has indicated that he retains the option to revert to amateur boxing if he chooses, yet the future remains uncertain for emerging boxers.

Dubey shares concern about his future, acknowledging that while professional boxing represents the ultimate goal in terms of financial success and recognition, it is essential to first navigate the amateur landscape.

“It is undeniable that amateur boxing in India has lost some of its popularity since 2018-19. Boxers have fallen behind. We require greater exposure and a better understanding of our competitors.”

Currently, Dubey is concentrating on the World Championships scheduled for September, while he awaits further information regarding India's strategy after aligning with the World Boxing governing body, which is supported by the International Olympic Association.

“The World Championships are anticipated to take place this year, but we lack details about training camps at this time. We have only a few tours arranged.”

Throughout his early career, Dubey has faced numerous challenges, including a significant ACL injury, the passing of his father and coach, and the ongoing uncertainty regarding the Olympic future of boxing. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic.

“Although my father and Dhananjay bhaiya are no longer with me, their investment in my aspirations continues to inspire me. Their unwavering faith in my potential has been a driving force in my journey.”

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