Once forced to quit boxing due to lack of diet money, Deepak Bhoria now basks in medal glory

NEW DELHI: For Deepak Bhoria, the bronze medal at the world championships in Tashkent was the culmination of a decade-long struggle. There were many players in that struggle – the boxing federation, his surroundings, financial condition, and at times himself.

Hailing from Hisar in Haryana, Deepak’s father Surinder Kumar did small-time jobs as home guard to sustain the family. Often he was out of job, and had to look out for another.

It was in 2008 that an 11-year-old Deepak started boxing at the insistence of his uncle Ravinder Bhoria. He got enrolled at the Universal Boxing Academy in Hisar under the tutelage of coach Rajesh Sheoran. One year down the line, Deepak was forced to quit boxing due to the financial constraints in his family. He couldn’t afford dietary supplements that a boxer needs in order to get to their best.

“After a heavy day of training, I used to return home with massive pain in my knees, back and other parts. I couldn’t afford the supplements required to carry on boxing. That’s why I had called it quits back then,” Deepak told TOI during an interaction after returning from Tashkent.

Coach Sheoran saw the potential in Deepak, and for him the predicament was whether to let the young boxer go from his academy or arrange for his diet. Sheoran preferred to arrange for Deepak’s dietary expenses as he was one the most talented boxers in the academy.

“The financial crisis in my family continued, and at one point of time I also worked as a newspaper vendor. But I didn’t give up boxing,” said Deepak.

A few years later, Deepak suffered a career-threatening fracture to his right hand. The fracture continued to trouble him for almost two years before he underwent surgery.

“Everything was so uncertain during that time and I started doubting myself. But the injury also gave me a new perspective in my life and helped me add another string to my bow,” said Deepak.

While he was unable to move his right hand, he slowly strengthened his left hand and now is equally adept at fighting with both hands. “My left hook, which is now famous, has been a result of that injury,” he said.

Finally, in 2016, there was some silver lining in the dark clouds. Deepak was selected at the Army Sports Institute in Pune and since then, he has never looked back.