Former World Champion, four-time Asian champion and current Commonwealth Games silver medallist L. Sarita Devi is one of the most decorated woman boxers in the country. Like M.C. Mary Kom, Sarita was born on March 1, hails from Manipur and has returned to the boxing ring after delivering her first child.
The two Manipuri boxers, known for their grit and competitive spirit, have set lofty standards and inspired a generation of young and aspiring women to take up boxing as a profession.
After becoming a mother, Sarita recently came out of a two-year break to drastically lose weight within a few months. The 29-year-old, who went on to bag a silver medal in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games despite back-to-back bouts and the lack of a physio, is proud to have served the country with distinction along with Mary Kom.
“It feels very good. We are proud to have done so much for the country. Boxing is a tough sport and earlier I used to have apprehensions as to whether I could make a comeback after having a baby and participate in big competitions. Mother Mary was there as an inspiration. Then I did well in the Commonwealth Games. It has done a world of good to my confidence,” says Sarita.
Sarita says her desire to take the ring again was always there. “I did not get a chance to participate in the (2012) Olympics. I was married for five years and wanted to have a baby. But I was always passionate about boxing. I thought if Mary can perform at the top level after having three kids, then why not me?”
Now, going though rigorous training sessions at the national camp in Delhi in preparation for the Asian Games, Sarita sounds confident about her prospects in Incheon. “In the last Asian championship, I participated in the 60kg category for the first time and defeated some top boxers to emerge as the champion. The Commonwealth Games was my second event in the same weight. I am an experienced boxer and I know how to handle big events. My fitness level has gone up. It is better than what it was during the Commonwealth Games. I am putting in my best effort during training sessions and God is up there,” says Sarita.
