A Champion Couple!!

For any sportsperson, it is necessary to have a strong support system

- MILIND DHAMDHERE

And it matters most when your partner is also a sportsperson and is at the peak of their sporting career. Though having a partner from the same field is a blessing, it requires a lot of coordination, respect for each other's performance and most importantly mental support.

World Champion Boxer Saweety Boora and her husband and, of course, an international kabaddi player Deepak Niwas Hooda are such a couple.

Saweety, a 30-year-old pugilist from Hisar, Haryana has recently been crowned as the world champion AIBA World Boxing championship held in New Delhi. She clinched the gold medal while defeating several top-rated players, including former world champion Wang Lin of China. Her husband Deepak has been part of the Indian kabaddi team, which has won many championships. He is also the captain of the national team. He has played all seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League and is regarded as the best all-rounder.

From kabaddi to boxing Interestingly, Saweety is a former kabaddi player and was representing her state till 2009, then she turned to boxing.

"My father was a basketball player, and I was inclined toward sport right from my childhood. My favourite sport was kabaddi. Though I used to dominate the matches as an all-rounder, my father felt that I should go for an individual sport where my strength can be used properly.

As I was rebellious and would pick up a fight whenever I would feel there is some injustice. So, my father wanted to divert my energy and aggression into contact sports like wrestling, boxing or judo. After some time, I choose boxing. And underwent basic training in the farmland near Haryana Agriculture University. Even though we didn't have good training facilities, my parents were confident that I can make a good career in boxing, and they supported me throughout the difficult phase," said Saweety.