From Saurav Borah
GUWAHATI: A combination of perseverance against the odds, a series of pro-fights and finally earning the privilege to train under his idol-mentor in the Navy, is behind Mizoram boxing sensation, Nutlai Lalbiakkima’s rise to international fame.
The 22-year-old diminutive pugilist had scripted history after he stunned world number one and Rio Olympic gold medalist, Hasanboy Dusmatov from Uzbekistan in a 49kg bout of the President’s Cup in Kazakhstan for a medal in his maiden international meet last month.
“I am very happy as it was my first international championship and I beat the champion boxer. But I am hungry for more achievements. My dream is to make it to the Olympics two years later,” Lalbiakkima told The Shillong Times from the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, where he is currently training, on Thursday afternoon.
Reflecting on the homework before the historic fight, he says, “I had gone through the fixture and noted that if I made it to the quarters I would face Dusmatov. So here was a chance to make it big apart from bagging a medal. I went through the videos of Dusmatov’s bouts to prepare for the contest as he was strong on technique and skill.”
That the young man could not afford dumb-bells for strengthening his arms as he grew up and instead ran around the village carrying heavy stones, is testimony to his never-say-die attitude, which finally paid off.
“Yes, those were difficult days. My father is not keeping well now. He used to sell fish along with my mother in our village, Siaha, which is about 14 hours by Sumo to Aizawl. It was hard to start with but I battled the odds. Then again, I am also grateful to the LPS pro fights (popular recreational sport for youngsters) which motivated me to reach this level. I have been champion four times in the pro fights,” Lalbiakkima, who studied till Class XII, says.
Currently employed with the Navy in Mumbai, he is mentored by chief coach, Suranjoy Singh (Manipur boxer and Commonwealth Games 2010 gold medalist).
“Suranjoy Sir is my idol and I first met him in Manipur. He is like my father and it was he who asked me to join the Navy in 2015. He has been my driving force and instrumental in this journey to fame,” Lalbiakkima, who loves eating chicken and trains for about four-five hours every day, says.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) meanwhile has kick-started the process to make Lalbiakkima ready for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics even as the 22-year-old has to first qualify for the world championships and seal a berth in the national squad.
“He is high on confidence and if this level is maintained, he certainly will be a medal hope for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The federation is discussing ways to properly groom him and give him international exposure,” Hemanta Kumar Kalita, treasurer of BFI, told this correspondent on Thursday.
Asked about his global feat, Manipur Boxing Association secretary general, Dr Lalrozama said the association has high hopes from Lalbiakkima in the years to come.
Lalbiakkima’s journey, which later saw him make a mark in national championships, gained momentum after he joined the Mizoram Regional Sports Authority Centre in 2011.