Middleweight boxer Pooja Rani Bohra emphasizes that the key to becoming the best version of yourself is stepping outside your comfort zone. Interestingly, her athletic journey started late; she had little interest in sports during her teens and didn't find her calling in the physically and mentally demanding world of boxing until she was nearly 18.
Driven by a deep desire to become an Olympian for India, Pooja faced several heartbreaking setbacks, failing to qualify for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Her hopes for Rio were dashed in May 2016 after an early exit in the second round of the Women’s World Boxing Championship. Now 30, her perseverance has finally culminated in a Tokyo Olympics berth, following a bronze-medal performance at the 2020 Asian Championships, marking her as the first Indian to secure a spot for the 2020 Games.
The road to the Olympic ring was long for Pooja, but those ten years of experience have forged her into a formidable contender. With her explosive power and a track record of success, she is well-positioned to fight for a medal. Despite starting the sport much later than her peers, she has consistently stunned the boxing world with her rapid ascent and achievements.
Pooja's boxing journey began back in 2009 at an inter-college competition where she took home a silver medal. Watching the intensity of the younger boxers inspired her to commit to the sport seriously. She credits much of her inspiration to Akhil Kumar, particularly admiring his 'Open Guard' technique, which has left a lasting impression on her own style.
While Akhil Kumar reached the pinnacle of success with gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, he narrowly missed an Olympic medal in 2008 after a quarter-final loss. However, that era was still historic for India, as Vijender Singh secured the nation's first-ever Olympic boxing bronze by reaching the semi-finals.
Pooja believes that the secret to victory lies in developing a unique style tailored to one's own personal strengths. Her impressive resume includes a gold medal from the 2016 South Asian Games and a appearance at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. In Tokyo, she faces a tough road ahead against elite competitors like China's Li Qian, Nouchka Fontijn from the Netherlands, Lauren Price of Great Britain, and Australia's Caitlin Parker—all of whom are consistent world-class medalists.