NAGPUR:
Sharda Punde
is an introvert by nature but she packs a lot of punch when she is in the boxing ring. On the basis of superb performances in the state and national-level tournaments in the last one year or so, 15-year-old has been selected for the Indian boxing camp slated to be held at Bhopal in June.
On the basis of her performance in the 45-day long camp, the Indian team will be selected for Junior World Boxing Championship.
Competing in the U-17 category, the talented boxer captured the gold medal in the SGFI Inter-School National Boxing Championship held at Anantpur Sahib Punjab.
Featherweight boxer Sharda, who regularly practices at the boxing centre run by Lotus Cultural and Sporting Association under the guidance of Arun Bute, has also became first woman boxer from the city to secure gold medal at the national-level.
A student of Rajendra High School, Sharda said, "I was determined to win the gold medal because I had practiced very hard. I would like to continue boxing in future also. Mary Kom is my inspiration and I will strive hard to get a berth in the Indian team."
Boxing runs in the family as her two sisters and elder brother were former boxers of repute. "My two sisters Jyoti and Meena and brother were also very good boxers. I used to watch their bouts and thus attracted towards this game," said Sharda, who had claimed four gold and two silver medals at the state meets.
Union transport minister
Nitin Gadkari recently honoured her at his residence. Her coach Arun Bute who started the boxing centre in 2008 said, "Our centre has produced several national boxers so far. Along with Sharda, three other boxers including Sheetal Bhoyar, Sakshi Pande and Mohini Bute were also selected for the national camp few years ago," said Bute.
Besides them, Meena Punde, Karishma Bhoyar, Harshalata Bawne, Mohini Bute, Sara Qureshi, Mayur Karnewar and Nikhil Ingle had represented Nagpur University in All-India Inter-University Boxing Championship.