Sarita Devi Tears Up While Recalling 2006 World Championship Gold

Watch India’s veteran boxer Sarita Devi recall her 2006 World Championship gold medal.

Sarita Devi speaks to The Quint.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Vivek Gupta
Cameraperson: Sumit Badola

India’s veteran boxer Sarita Devi recalled her 2006 World Championship gold in an interview with The Quint in New Delhi on Wednesday, 31 October. At the unveiling of the logo and anthem for the 2018 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship, Devi spoke about the World Championship held in 2006.

We had a chance to compete in the World C’ship in India for the first time. I was very excited to fight in front of my family at home. Indians came to the arena to watch the matches. It felt very good. I used to get motivated when I heard the crowd shout ‘India, India’.

Sarita Devi

When asked about the moment to remember, Sarita Devi spoke about her mother watching the gold medal match in the arena.

I always remember one thing that my mother was watching the final from the gallery. Whenever I got a punch, my mother would close her eyes. She couldn’t see me getting hit. She being a mother was getting hurt each time a punch came my way. Then I thought my mother is watching me that’s why I needed to beat Viktoria Rudenko in the final.

Sarita Devi

The 36-year-old added that unfortunately she will not be able to experience the same in this year’s competition because her mother is suffering from cancer.

When I was announced as the winner, I felt very proud and happy. And then I met my mother and hugged her. Unfortunately, this time I won’t have the opportunity to meet my mother in the arena because she is suffering from cancer.

Sarita Devi

The Women’s World Boxing Championship will be held in New Delhi from 15-24 November.