Rajat ends four-year medal drought with remarkable gold

Mapusa: Rajat knows a thing or two about fightbacks.

Just when his boxing career was taking off, the Covid-19 pandemic struck. The 22-year-old did not lose hope. Instead, he fought the odds, kept faith in his potential to keep going.

On Wednesday, representing Goa, Rajat ended his four-year medal drought in remarkable style with an upset against Akash Kumar of Services to clinch gold in the elite men’s 67-71kg light middleweight category at Peddem Sports Complex.

“I worked really hard for this and got an opportunity to prove myself. Coaches have done a lot to get me ready for the competition,” Rajat told TOI after his win.

Very few gave Rajat a chance in the final against Akash, who has been the national champion for the last two years and has a bronze medal from the World Championships last year after defeating Rio Olympics silver medallist, Yoel Finol Rivas, of Venezuela.

The boxers were cautious at the start, but Rajat put his power and speed to good use to seal the first round 4-1. In the second round, Akash bounced back to tie the scores, and in the nervy decider, Rajat kept his calm.

At the end of the bout, the judges had to review the bout before announcing their decision. It was tense, but in the end, Rajat clinched the third round 3-2, drawing cheers from the home crowd in one of the most exciting bouts on the final day.

“One you put in the hard work, the confidence comes naturally. We know we have to put in more hard work than the opponent. Then only we can beat them and achieve our target,” said Rajat.

Son of a school teacher from Haryana, Rajat started boxing in 2013. On his national debut, he secured a silver in Guwahati in 2017. The following year, he won a bronze medal at the Khelo India Games in Delhi. Later, in 2019, he won gold and the best boxer title at the Youth Nationals. He also took part in an international championship held in Serbia, but then the pandemic brought his career to a halt.

But, all through, he didn’t lose faith.

“Have been working hard since the last four years. My family supports me a lot and this medal goes to them, along with the coaches,” said Rajat.
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