Nirmala idolises Mary Kom

Nirmala Rawat has carved a niche for herself in the boxing ring and her medals at various district and national level championships prove this fact.

The beginning
It was in 2008 when Nirmala was attracted towards this sport, considered a male bastion. "My coach Narain Singh Dagar, who is also the director of boxing in Faridabad district, motivated me to take up this game. Earlier, I just took it as a hobby that would help me in my overall development but gradually I realised that it was the thing that I wanted to pursue in my life."

Family support
Nirmala's family has always supported her in following her dream. She never had to explain her family why she wants to take up this game. "My father is my best supporter. I had to tour various places but my father and mother never stopped me from participating in the game."

Chasing dream
She is fascinated by five-time world champion Mary Kom. She admires her and wants to become a world champion like her idol one day.

Practice makes her perfect
Nirmala is a hard worker and never skips her practice hours.  She practices six hours daily. "I practice for three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening without any gap. I believe in the saying practice makes a man perfect and if I want to achieve more in the game I need to practice daily."

Nothing more than boxing
When asked about her other hobbies than boxing, this tough girl replies, "Boxing is my only hobby and besides this I don't have the time to pursue any other activity."

Her desire
Nirmala strongly feels that every girl should indulge herself in at least one sport without thinking whether it is a boy's game or girl's game. This would help her to stand on her own feet and develop self-confidence. "Now-a-days, girls are no less than boys in any field so they should come up and do what they are best."

Favourite punch
Boxing is a game of punches. One who perfectly knows about the punches can never fail in the game. This female boxer also has her perfect punch.  Her favourite punch is the straight one two. "If any one follows this punch, he or she would definitely score in the game and so it's my personal favourite."

Achievements many
Nirmala is a four-time national champion. She claimed gold in her very first national championship in Goa. Her victory wagon is still running and she recently won gold in the national championship held at Pondicherry in December.

--Priyanka Nair