New Delhi: India’s campaign at the World Boxing Cup 2 in Guiyang, China ended with six medals – one gold, three silver and two bronze. The highlight of the tournament came from Haryana boxer Jyoti Gulia, who put up a sensational performance to win the country’s only gold medal.Competing in the 48kg category, Jyoti defeated Mexico’s Fatima Herrera in a tough semi-final before producing a dominant performance in the final, defeating Uzbekistan’s Farzona Fozilova – the reigning World Boxing Cup champion in Brazil – by a unanimous 5-0 decision. The victory not only underscored her rising status on the international stage, but also demonstrated her resilience after a period of uncertainty and missed opportunities.In conversation with TOIJyoti spoke about her golden run in China, her plans to return to the 51kg category, the challenges she faced when she was initially denied entry to the competition and the unwavering support of her family and coaches.Congratulations on winning India’s only gold medal at the World Boxing Cup in China. how do you feelJyoti: I feel very happy, confident and motivated. Winning the gold medal strengthened my belief in myself and gave me a lot of confidence for the competitions ahead.At this tournament, you competed in the category up to 48 kg…Jyoti: I am primarily a 51 kg boxer. I competed in the 48kg category just for this tournament because my weight dropped and I wanted to make sure I could participate.So, was the move to 48 kg only temporary?Jyoti: Yes, absolutely. It was just for this tournament. I am now focused on making a strong return to the 51 kg category and competing at the National Championship in that category.Does the possibility that 48 kg is not an Olympic category affect your decision?Jyoti: Yes, that is certainly one of the reasons. My long-term focus is on 51kg as it aligns with my future goals and Olympic aspirations.How was your preparation and diet in recent weeks?Jyoti: My diet was very strict. For the past few weeks I have been eating cooked vegetables and fruit for breakfast. The training has been consistent and I feel very strong physically.Are you worried about mental fatigue after such an intense period?Jyoti: There are always challenges, but mentally I feel strong, focused and ready for the next phase.What are your plans for the upcoming National Championship?Jyoti: I will compete in the category up to 51 kg. Now I have enough time to recover and prepare for Nationals.What are your long-term goals after the National Championship?Jyoti: My immediate focus is the Nationals. After that, I want to perform well in the qualifiers for the World Championship, which are also the qualifiers for the Olympic Games. My goal is to succeed in the category up to 51 kg.There was a time when your name was not sanctioned for the competition. How difficult was that phase?Jyoti: It was very demotivating. I was fully prepared and then suddenly we were told we couldn’t go. I didn’t talk to anyone at the time. I was just trying to figure out what happened.How did you overcome that disappointment?Jyoti: I spoke to Ajay Singh sir. He told me to keep training and assured me that I would get another chance. He fully supported me and made sure that everything was arranged for the competition.And in the end, you returned that faith with a gold medal?Jyoti: Yes sir. I promised him that if I got the chance I would return the gold medal and I did. Did that failure become a source of motivation for you?Jyoti: Absolutely. I had a strong hunger inside me because I wasn’t getting opportunities. I only needed one chance to prove myself.What was going through your head in the final against Farzona Fozilova?Jyoti: I had only one thought – to win at any cost. After winning the first round 5-0, I didn’t want the match to slip away. I gave it my all and managed to win decisively in all rounds.Do politics and administrative issues in sports affect athletes like you?Jyoti: Yes, they sometimes affect preparation and opportunities. But I try to focus only on what I can control – my performance and training.Who has been your biggest support system during this journey?Jyoti: My family – mother, father and brother – were my biggest supporters. My coaches and the academy also played a big role in my development.Did your family support you when you started boxing?Jyoti: At first, no. In 2012, it was not common for girls in my village to do boxing. My father and many relatives were against the idea.So who stood by you?Jyoti: My mother is. She quietly allowed me to go to training even when others were against it. Without her support, I would not be where I am today.Where do you usually train?Jyoti: Mostly in the hometown. When I am not at the national camp, I train there or at SAI centers like Rohtak.You and fellow boxer Minakshi Hooda often train together. Does friendship turn into rivalry inside the ring?Jyoti: Yes, inside the ring we are rivals, but outside it we are very good friends. Sometimes she wins and sometimes I win. That’s the beauty of sports.Finally, what message would you give to your supporters?Jyoti: I am focused on progress and give my best every time I step into the ring. I want to thank everyone who supported me and believed in me. Their encouragement means a lot.
