Vizag pugilist dazzles on global stage

Twenty-two-year-old Shyam Kumar Kakara from Visakhapatnam is pushing the envelope like no other young boxer ever has. Shyam packed a heavy punch at the recently concluded Asian Games Test Event in Indonesia by winning gold. The boxer, who knocked down his Indonesian counterpart Mario Blasius Kali in the finals, feels that this victory couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

“It’s a great moment to cherish and the win means a lot to me and came at the right time. It boosts my confidence and helps me prepare well for another action-packed season,” he shares.

Shyam has participated in 14 international tournaments till date, winning seven medals in various categories. Sharing the backstory of how he took to the sport, he reveals, “My father being a kabaddi player, always used to encourage us to take up sports. When I was 10, I became fascinated with boxing and wanted to make a career in the sport. Seeing my love for it, my father sent me to the training centre of the Sports Authority of India. Since then, there has been no looking back. When I initially took up boxing, the effort and focus was only to become a good player and I never even dreamt of winning any championship at first.”

However, under the tutelage of coach I. Venkateswara Rao, Shyam picked up the sport magnificently. The national champion explains that the route to these successes wasn’t a cake walk. “I used to train with only one kit and was not financially independent. It was demanding; but my father and coach Venkateswara Rao believed and encouraged me; they gave me a summary of how I played and it was very helpful. So what I have realised over the years is how significant the match preparation is,” he says. 

This budding boxer who trains for six hours every day, mentions that playing at the international level has instilled in him the right attitude towards pressure. “My approach to boxing and on court strategies has evolved over the years, thanks to my international assignments. Playing at the highest level gave me the right exposure and great insight. Sometimes you win, and at times you lose, but learning from the experience and opportunities is the key to becoming a better player. These tournaments help me in preparing for the Olympics,” feels Shyam.

COVETED TITLES

• Gold Medal (49 kgs category) at the Boxing Invitation Tournament Asian Games; Indonesia, February 2018
• Gold Medal (49 kgs category) at Thailand Invitation International Senior Boxing; Thailand, April 2015
• Bronze Medal (49 kgs category) at the Olympic Test Event International Boxing Competition; Brazil, December 2015
• Gold Medal (49 kgs category) at the International Youth Boxing Tournament, Aghalarov Cup; Azerbaijan, December 2013
• Silver Medal (48 kgs category) at the 10th International Junior Boxing Tournament; Azerbaijan, May 2012