New Delhi: India won six medals – one gold, three silver and two bronze – at the second World Boxing Cup in Guiyang, China. The brightest moment of the tournament came from Haryana boxer Jyoti Gurlia, who put in a brilliant performance to win the country’s only gold medal.In the 48kg category, Jyoti defeated Mexico’s Fatima Herrera in a hard-fought semi-final and then defeated Uzbekistan’s Fazona Fuzilova, the defending Brazilian World Cup champion, in the final with a 5-0 unanimous decision. The win not only underlines her growing stature on the international stage but also demonstrates her resilience after a period of uncertainty and missed opportunities.with toyJyoti talks about her golden journey to China, her plans to return to the 51kg category, the challenges she faced when initially being turned down to compete, and the unwavering support of her family and coaches.Congratulations to India for winning the only gold medal at the World Cup in China. how are you feeling?Jyoti: I feel very happy, confident and motivated. Winning the gold medal boosted my confidence in myself and gave me confidence for the next competition.You competed in the 48kg category in this competition…Jyoti: I am primarily a 51kg boxer. I only competed in the 48kg category for this meet because I was down in weight and I wanted to make sure I could compete.So, is the weight loss to 48 kg only temporary?Jyoti: Yes, absolutely. This is just for this competition. My focus now is to make a strong return to the 51kg weight class and compete in the national championships in that weight class.Did the possibility of the 48kg not entering the Olympic category influence your decision?Jyoti: Yes, that’s definitely one of the reasons. My long-term goal is the 51kg category as it aligns with my future goals and Olympic aspirations.How have your preparations and meals been these past few weeks?Jyoti: My diet has always been very strict. For the past few weeks I have been eating boiled vegetables and fruit for breakfast. The training continued and I felt very strong.Are you worried about mental fatigue after such an intense period of time?Jyoti: There are always challenges, but mentally I feel strong, focused, and ready for the next phase.Do you have any plans for the upcoming national championships?Jyoti: I will compete in the 51kg category. I now have enough time to rebuild my strength and get ready for nationals.Aside from the national championship, what are your long-term goals?Jyoti: My current focus is the Nationals. After that, I want to perform well in the World Championship qualifiers, which are also Olympic qualifiers. My goal is to succeed in the 51kg category.There was a time when your name was not allowed to enter the competition. How difficult was that stage?Jyoti: This is very frustrating. I was fully prepared and then suddenly I was told we couldn’t go. I didn’t talk to anyone at that time. I just want to understand what’s going on.How did you overcome this disappointment?Jyoti: I spoke to Mr. Ajay Singh. He told me to keep training and assured me that I would get another chance. He fully supported me and made sure everything fell into place for the race.Did you eventually repay your faith with a gold medal?Jyoti: Yes, sir. I promised him that if I had the chance, I would bring home the gold medal, and I did. Did that setback become a source of motivation for you?Jyoti: Absolutely. There was a strong desire within me because I had no chance. I just needed a chance to prove myself.What was going through your head during the final against Falzona Fucilova?Jyoti: I had only one idea – to win at all costs. After winning the first round 5-0, I didn’t want to let the game slip away. I gave it my all and won all the rounds decisively.Do political and administrative issues in sport affect athletes like you?Jyoti: Yes, sometimes they do impact preparation and opportunity. But I try to only focus on the things I can control – my performance and training.Who has been your biggest support system throughout this journey?Jyoti: My family – my mother, father and brother – have been my biggest support. My coaches and academy also played a huge role in my development.When you first started boxing, was your family supportive?Jyoti: Initially, no. Back in 2012, it was not common for girls in our village to participate in boxing. My father and many relatives were against the idea.So who is on your side?Jyoti: My mom did it. Despite the objections of others, she silently allowed me to attend the training. Without her support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.Where do you usually train?Jyoti: Mainly in my hometown. When I am not at the national camp, I am training there or at SAI centers like Rohtak.You and boxer Minakshi Hooda train together regularly. Will friendship turn into competition inside the ring?Jyoti: Yes, we are competitors inside the ring, but outside of it we are great friends. Sometimes she wins, sometimes I win. This is the beauty of sports.Finally, what message do you want to convey to your supporters?Jyoti: I focus on improving and giving my best every time I step in the ring. I want to thank everyone who supports and believes in me. Their encouragement means a lot.
