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Power-packed performance
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AP's Swapnapriya is making steady inroads into this challenging sport
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THE CHAMP Swapnapriya with her gold PHOTO: K. GAJENDRAN
Although women's boxing is still in a nascent stage in India, Andhra Pradesh has already produced a few medallists at the national level and one of them is the 19-year-old Hyderabad lass N. Swapnapriya.
Standing five feet ten inches tall, she competes in the heavyweight category (86 kg class) and at 6th women's boxing senior national championship held at Jamshedpur, she won the gold defeating the previous year's champion, Reena Kanwar of Punjab. A student of Pragathi Degree College in Kukatpally, she was attracted to the sport when she witnessed the boxing competitions of the 32nd National Games held in Hyderabad in 2002. She stays in Hyderabad with her aunt Rajeshwari and uncle C. Srinivasulu. "At first we were reluctant to let her take up boxing. But after we saw her enthusiasm we allowed her to continue. But we don't know what the future holds. We are not even sure if she will get a good job," says Rajeshwari. Her uncle Srinivasulu is not sure if there will be any rewards even if she achieves something big. But they provide encouragement nevertheless. Swapnapriya's mother Padmavathi, who works in Srikalahasti in Chittoor district, is happy that her daughter is doing well.
Swapnapriya training routine involves running several kilometres every day besides shadow boxing and sparring - often with boys as well as girls. "The main contenders are boxers from Punjab and Manipur. But at the last nationals, I was able to beat all of them," says Swapnapriya. At present she is training to take part in an international competition to be held in Norway soon.
AP boxing officials C. Jayaram Reddy, B.D. Manmohan and B. Seshu are providing necessary support to help her achieve her ambitions. Her coaches Omkar Yadav, N. Ashok and Venkatweswar Rao are all praise for her abilities. "She is very hard working and her height and long reach are a big advantage. She throws punches that catch even experienced rivals by surprise," says Omkar Yadav.
Ashok feels she will go a long way if the government provides adequate support. "Her dedication is remarkable. She deserves encouragement in every way and the government must provide financial help and a job, only then, talented sportspersons like her can make any progress," says Ashok.
ABHIJIT SEN GUPTA
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