The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns may have brought most activities to a standstill, but for Jigyasa, a talented young woman from Udaipur, her passion for sports remained unwavering. From an early age, she had a profound interest in the sport of boxing. However, when all conventional training avenues seemed to be closed, her father took it upon himself to initiate her training at home.

Jigyasa's father's determination and resourcefulness were pivotal in paving the way for her boxing journey. Recognizing her potential, they sought the expertise of coaches Yash Singh Sisodia and Vandana Panwar, who stepped in to provide her with rigorous boxing training. Under their guidance and Jigyasa's relentless dedication, her skills and performance in the sport continued to improve. 

After dedicating herself to two years of strenuous training, Jigyasa has earned the opportunity to participate in international trials. She has made her way to Rohtak, Haryana, to vie for a spot in the championship trials. Should she succeed in securing a place, she will proudly represent the nation in the forthcoming competition in Armenia, a moment of immense pride for Udaipur. 

In the trials conducted at the Indian Boxing Academy in Jaipur, Jigyasa demonstrated her skills and secured a place on the Rajasthan team. Subsequently, she has been chosen to participate in the trials for the World Junior Boxing Championship scheduled to be held from November 7 to 10 in Rohtak.

Jitendra Patel, Jigyasa's father, revealed that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire world came to a halt. In response to this challenging situation, he decided to introduce boxing as a home-based activity for his daughter. The outcome of this decision was nothing short of remarkable – Jigyasa earned her first-ever selection to the state team for the Junior Boxing Tournament in 2022. What's even more impressive is that she clinched the state champion title in her very first attempt. Building on this early success, Jigyasa went on to secure numerous medals in the field of boxing. As a Udaipur resident, she has now emerged as a source of inspiration for fellow athletes.

Despite facing unprecedented challenges and the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Jigyasa's indomitable spirit prevailed. She managed to balance her boxing pursuits alongside her studies, demonstrating a remarkable level of dedication and time management. Currently, she is a Class 11 student, showing that her commitment to both her education and her passion for boxing remains active. 

Source: Rajasthan Patrika