Thanks to his determination to produce world champions using his own methods, Jagdish Singh was able to overcome all hurdles and become successful in his mission. He never cared for his critics — in fact, he doesn’t care to know their opinion about him even now.
Basking in the glory of his ward, Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, Jagdish, who started the Bhiwani Boxing Club (BBC) in 2003 with bare minimum facilities, is now planning to renovate the club. He wants to turn it into a world-class complex and produce more Olympic and World champions.
“I have fought against the system, my detractors, land mafia and other vested interests to come this far. I believe that athletes who have the hunger for success can be nurtured into world champions with proper training,” Jagdish said.
From 40 students to 120, including 15 girls — the number of trainees at BBC, which imparts “free” coaching, has increased appreciably in five years. Jagdish, who is also a Sports Authority of India coach, claims that he has produced 161 medallists at the international level and 312 medal winners at the National level.
The club has only one ring and a few punching kits besides some training equipment. Even with such meagre facilities, BBC has managed to produce some good boxers. Three out of the four pugilists who represented India in the Athens Olympics and four out of the five boxers in the Beijing Games belong to the Bhiwani club.
What are the criteria for admission to the club?
“It’s purely on the basis of talent. Basically, I look for students from lower middle-class families. I believe, being deprived, they have the spirit to excel in life, they can go through the hardships to succeed in their mission,” Jagdish said.
But how does Jagdish handle so many students all alone?
“Some senior boxers assist me. Besides, athletics coach Jagdish Prasad takes care of the fitness part of the training. We maintain a flexible schedule.”
Now that Vijender has brought glory to the club, Jagdish wants to make it even bigger. “I know this is not the infrastructure with which Olympic gold winning boxers can be produced. There is this five to 10 per cent difference between winning a bronze and a gold.
“I want to have all the modern facilities, latest technical support, the help of a nutritionist, a library and CDs of all top boxers and the development of boxing. All this requires a lot of money. Recognition has started coming and I hope I will get some aid to build my dream centre.
“All the difficulties are coming to an end and I can see a new chapter waiting to open,” said Jagdish, who has been chosen for the Dronacharya Award.
When asked who has been his best student so far, Jagdish replied: “All those who have done well in the Olympics are good boxers.” He was, obviously, referring to Akhil Kumar, Jitender Kumar and Vijender Singh.
Does he expect bigger glory from his wards in the London Olympics in 2012?
“The performance should improve. There should definitely be a gold medal,” said Jagdish.
Basking in the glory of his ward, Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, Jagdish, who started the Bhiwani Boxing Club (BBC) in 2003 with bare minimum facilities, is now planning to renovate the club. He wants to turn it into a world-class complex and produce more Olympic and World champions.
“I have fought against the system, my detractors, land mafia and other vested interests to come this far. I believe that athletes who have the hunger for success can be nurtured into world champions with proper training,” Jagdish said.
From 40 students to 120, including 15 girls — the number of trainees at BBC, which imparts “free” coaching, has increased appreciably in five years. Jagdish, who is also a Sports Authority of India coach, claims that he has produced 161 medallists at the international level and 312 medal winners at the National level.
The club has only one ring and a few punching kits besides some training equipment. Even with such meagre facilities, BBC has managed to produce some good boxers. Three out of the four pugilists who represented India in the Athens Olympics and four out of the five boxers in the Beijing Games belong to the Bhiwani club.
What are the criteria for admission to the club?
“It’s purely on the basis of talent. Basically, I look for students from lower middle-class families. I believe, being deprived, they have the spirit to excel in life, they can go through the hardships to succeed in their mission,” Jagdish said.
But how does Jagdish handle so many students all alone?
“Some senior boxers assist me. Besides, athletics coach Jagdish Prasad takes care of the fitness part of the training. We maintain a flexible schedule.”
Now that Vijender has brought glory to the club, Jagdish wants to make it even bigger. “I know this is not the infrastructure with which Olympic gold winning boxers can be produced. There is this five to 10 per cent difference between winning a bronze and a gold.
“I want to have all the modern facilities, latest technical support, the help of a nutritionist, a library and CDs of all top boxers and the development of boxing. All this requires a lot of money. Recognition has started coming and I hope I will get some aid to build my dream centre.
“All the difficulties are coming to an end and I can see a new chapter waiting to open,” said Jagdish, who has been chosen for the Dronacharya Award.
When asked who has been his best student so far, Jagdish replied: “All those who have done well in the Olympics are good boxers.” He was, obviously, referring to Akhil Kumar, Jitender Kumar and Vijender Singh.
Does he expect bigger glory from his wards in the London Olympics in 2012?
“The performance should improve. There should definitely be a gold medal,” said Jagdish.
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