'It takes time to get good results. So many external factors affect our lives and our boxing'

Four women, independent, strongvoiced and stronger willed, visited the TOI’s office on April 12, 2023. What resulted was happy pandemonium as office staff left their posts and terminals to be in their midst, content to even linger in their periphery. India’s Sisterhood of the Glove did not disappoint. Smartly quipping and ribbing each other when not offering deep insight into their often-lonely world of boxing, newly-crowned world champions Nitu Ghanghas, Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain and Saweety Boora told a tale of the everyday Indian woman, and the hardships they face with a smile on their lips and sweat on their brow. Read on…

The world knows about, and revels, in your feats. Can you let us inside your minds a bit, how do each of you feel personally about your success? Where did this journey begin?

Lovlina Borgohain: I don't consider myself a star. With fame comes responsibility

Lovlina Borgohain (75kg): This is my third World Championships medal. In the Olympics too, I had won bronze. This time, my target was to change the colour of the medal… to win gold. It was my dream. But, this is not the only dream. The dream is to become an Olympic champion. This was my first step — to prove to myself that if I can win a gold at the Worlds, I can become an Olympic champion too.