In their mid-30s, most boxers consider hanging up their gloves. But 34-year-old Tokyo Olympian Pooja Rani not solely chased her dream but in addition achieved it by touchdown her maiden World championship medal, a bronze in 80kg, in Liverpool and helped India end with a creditable tally of 4 medals. The dashing pugilist from Bhiwani doesn’t thoughts working more durable than ever so as to get what appeared to her as an unfulfilled mission.
Now, she accepts that she is on the fag finish of her greater than a decade-long profession and sounds real looking about her future within the ring. Pooja spoke to The Hindu about her brave journey. Excerpts:
Tell us about your time after you competed within the Tokyo Olympics and the World championships in 2022.
After that I took a break. I received married in February 2023. I didn’t compete in any match in the entire of 2023. Then in 2024, I participated solely within the National championships.
How troublesome was your comeback?
If you take a break, then you have to start from zero. We have to play in district-level occasions, then we have to play in state championships as properly. Because your home is gone all of a sudden.
You have to make a new start once more. So, I competed within the state championships and went on to develop into the National champion this 12 months.
The 12 months 2025 was superb for me. I participated within the World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan. I gave a good efficiency there and bagged a silver medal.
As quickly as we got here again from the World Cup, our preparations for the World championships began. The World championships additionally went off properly.
Why did you consider making a comeback once more? How way more coaching did you have to do?
I used to be doing coaching earlier. I educated in 2024, however I used to be not doing it so significantly. Because I knew that there was no main competitors that 12 months. The solely main occasion was the Olympics (and solely certified athletes might go there and compete). I knew that in 2025 the World championships or the World Cups might be there. I began coaching properly as a result of there was no level in taking it straightforward. I’ll get good outcomes provided that I carry out properly.
But within the mid-30s, a lot of boxers, each female and male, retire. Why did you consider coming again once more?
My husband performed the primary position on this. He noticed that I left the game at a time (after I might have carried on). He just isn’t an athlete, however understands me properly. After all, we have been collectively for the previous six years. He motivated me that I ought to do it. He thought that I’d be joyful provided that I competed in one other occasion or received one other medal.
I additionally felt that since I had been boxing for therefore a few years, there ought to be some achievement that I ought to be ok with.
After your father’s loss of life, does your mom assist you?
My mom at all times cared for me. I work as an Income Tax inspector. She was eager for my success as she knew if I received a medal within the World championships, then I’d get a promotion. She could be awake until late within the evening to watch my bout.
But after 30 years, you have to do extra health. So, how a lot did you concentrate to that?
After that age you have to pay extra consideration to your energy because the energy begins to lower. I paid full consideration to constructing my energy.
Whether I did (boxing) coaching or not, I did energy coaching. Talking about efficiency, if we preserve working laborious, then we will certainly get good outcomes.
Do you need to stick to 80kg or drop down to 75kg sooner or later?
See, now the World Cup remaining goes to be held in India. For that, I’ll compete in 80kg. Next 12 months, I’ll strive 70kg or 75kg as a result of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are developing. I’ll undoubtedly strive to do properly in these occasions.
You fought very properly within the World championships. What does this medal imply to you?
I have competed in 4 World championships up to now. In 2012 and 2016, it was the Olympic qualifier (and was harder). I additionally participated in 2022 and misplaced within the quarterfinals. That was a huge heartbreak for me.
I boxed properly and I didn’t have a medal within the World championships. I needed to win a medal. And now I received a likelihood to lay my arms on it.
In the quarterfinals (in opposition to Poland’s Emilia Koterska in Liverpool), I misplaced 2-3 within the first spherical. In the second spherical, I put all my power into it. I believed that if I give my finest on this spherical, solely then one thing can occur. I received the second spherical 5-0 and the bout with a 3-2 margin. When my medal was confirmed, I felt as if it have been a dream.
You have labored with coach D. Chandralal earlier than. How was it working with him once more?
Yes, Chandralal Sir was within the camp in 2012. I began boxing in 2009 however I didn’t compete in any main occasion until 2012. My first main occasion was with Chandralal Sir. I received a silver medal within the Asian championships. Now he has returned once more because the coach.
I felt good. I remembered the outdated days after I began (as a world boxer) with him. Now I practice with him even when I’m within the final stage of my boxing profession. He could be very strict. I have by no means seen anybody as strict as him. People mentioned a lot of adverse issues about his coaching strategies, however you see the efficiency.
Apart from the main occasions subsequent 12 months, the 2028 Olympics can be there. For how lengthy do you need to keep it up?
If subsequent 12 months seems to be a good one for me, then I’ll proceed additional. I’ll go step-by-step.
What are the areas you want to work on?
I really feel I’ll have to work on my stamina. Before the Liverpool occasion, we had our coaching in Sheffield. Because of the change in climate, I received a chilly.
In the final spherical I used to be having a little stamina drawback. I used to be getting drained. I’ll work on this space. Obviously, I’ll pay extra consideration to growing my energy.
This World championships can be particular for you as a result of Nupur Sheoran, who’s like a sister of yours, additionally received a medal in 80+kg. How joyful are you?
Yes, it’s a matter of happiness that the 4 medals that have come are from Haryana. And three are from Bhiwani. And two are from the identical academy – Captain Hawa Singh Boxing Academy.
Published – October 07, 2025 11:17 pm IST
