Indian boxer Deepak Kumar, who secured a bronze medal at the IBA Men's World Boxing Championship 2023 in the 51 Kg category last month, reflected on his journey in the tournament and said that although he could not win the gold medal he is still happy to have learned something from the Championship, as reported by the news agency ANI. "It was my second World Championship so the medal was important for me. I could not win the gold medal but I am happy to have learned something from the Championship," he says, as quoted by ANI.
Deepak displayed unwavering grit against the two-time Worlds bronze medallist Billal Bennama of France and went down 3-4 in the semifinals after the bout was reviewed at the championship held in Tashkent last month. "It is very sad that we missed out on a gold medal after coming so close. This disappointment is there but in a competition we also get to learn so many things. So, I am happy," Kumar told ANI.
"That was a happy moment for me because it was a world championship medal, which is very important. Very happy to win it but disappointed too because I could have been at the number one position," he added. This was the second time Deepak participated in the World Championship. Expectations were quite high after Deepak won silver at Strandja Memorial, Bulgaria. "For me, it was a big thing. It was the second World Championship for me. In the first one, it was just a participation, this time there were a lot of expectations to do well," as quoted by ANI.
'Colour Of Medal Could Have Been Better': Indian Boxer Mohammad Hussamuddin On Bronze At Boxing World Championship
Mohammad Hussamuddin, who won a bronze medal in 57 kg category at the World Championship, expressed happiness over his achievement and said that the colour of the medal could have been better. "Very happy to win a medal in World Championship but the colour of the medal could have been better...I thank BFI and SAI for their support," says Indian boxer Mohammad Hussamuddin said as quoted by ANI.
'It Has Paid Off For My 14 Years Of Hard Work': Nishant Dev On Winning Bronze Medal At IBA Men's World Boxing Championship 2023
Indian boxer Nishant Dev, who won a bronze medal in 71 kg category at the World Championship, said that 14 years of hardwork has paid off as he managed to win his first International medal. He further said that he is looking to change the colour of his medal in the upcoming Asian Games
"I am happy to win a medal. It has paid off for my 14 years of hard work. This is the first time I have won an international medal. I never gave up whenever I trained and I am happy that I have won a bronze medal in a major competition I would now want to change the colour of my medal in the upcoming Asian Games and win a gold," says Indian boxer Nishant Dev said, as quoted by ANI.