CHENNAI: Every time she sets out for a new challenge, young Sarjubala Devi remembers her sister Sunibala, who is no more. The thought of her bring tears to her eyes. It was during one such national-cum-selection camp that her sister expired five years ago and despite all efforts she could not see her for one last time. “I could not leave the camp,” she recalls. That spurred her to dedicate her life to glove combat.
The 22-year-old pugilist, who trades blows in the category where her idol MC Mary Kom used to compete, recalls her heartbreaking experience when she was making her way up in the boxing circuit and sitting for trials for youth ticket. “I had my trials at the SAI centre for the youth team. She passed away then. It was heartbreaking for me,” she says.
“When I came back, my mother gave me a letter Sunibala had left, asking me to become a world champion. After that I was really inspired to become a world beater. I wanted to do something for my sister, but I couldn’t do much. So, making her proud is the least I can do,” she added, her voice cracking.
The world championships silver medallist, who hails from Imphal, comes from a humble background. Her father provides for her family as a lorry driver supplying water while her mother is a housewife. Her parents have been her backbone on the road to becoming an international pugilist. Despite all the hardships, the Manipuri pugilist says they have been extremely supportive.
“If you need money let us know, we will provide you. You just concentrate on your boxing,” is what her parents tell her often.
On her part, Sarjubala is determined to win a gold medal in the upcoming Asian Championships to be held in China from Thursday, and make her family proud. “I have dedicated all my efforts to win gold. The Asian Championship is an important tournament. We have trained hard. I know it won’t be easy. But we all have the potential to beat our opponents and win some medals,” the light flyweight (48kg) says.
A product of the Manipur SAI centre, where the likes of Mary and L Sarita Devi trained, she is keen to follow their footsteps. Like her senior pros, she developed her skills under the close watch of veteran coach Ibomcha Singh during her stint there. “We have had many champions from Manipur. We have Mary (didi), Sarita (didi) and Suranjoy Singh. They have won many medals at the international level. It’s inspiring to see them do so well. In fact, I took up boxing as a child seeing them do so well. I also want to become a champion like them.”
She has already caught the attention of many with her impressive show in recent times. Making her debut on the international circuit — the World Championships in Korea — she stormed into the final before settling for silver. She put behind her Worlds upset and put on a sizzling show to win gold in the President’s Cup in Indonesia in April this year. “I was a bit nervous, but after my first fight, I was pretty settled. I was upset that I could not fetch gold but satisfied with my overall performance. My parents were following my bouts up close and they were also happy with my experience,” she recalled. And somewhere from above, she feels, her sister too would be watching.
Know Sarjubala
Age: 22
Hometown: Imphal, Manipur
Category: Light Flyweight
Career Highlights
AIBA World Championships, South Korea 2014 | Silver
President’s Cup, Indonesia 2015 | Gold
Sr National Championships, Raipur 2014 | Gold
AIBA World Youth Boxing C’ships, Antalya, 2011 | Gold
National Boxing Championships, Bhopal, 2011 | Gold
Youth National Championships, 2010, 2011 | Gold