Sumit’s Comeback: Boxer quits to support family; battles injury to reach Asian Games
Haryana boxer Sumit Kundu overcame his father’s death, financial hardship and a career-threatening knee injury to rebuild his career. He quit boxing as a teenager to work as a security guard, but his village helped him return. After winning national and international medals, Kundu missed the Paris Olympics due to injury but made a remarkable comeback, securing his place for the Commonwealth and…
Sumit Kundu's journey from a humble village in Haryana to the international stage of the Asian Games is a testament to sheer perseverance and sheer willpower. Born into a family struggling with financial woes after his father's premature death, Sumit turned to boxing at the tender age of 13 in 2013, seeking solace and a means to support his family.
After his mother started working as a tailor to make ends meet, Sumit quit boxing to secure a job as a security guard at a local school, making sacrifices that would define his life's trajectory.
The village of Dhakal rallied around Sumit, pooling their resources to fund his training and nutrition, enabling him to return to boxing when he was 16. Rising through the ranks, Sumit claimed gold at the National School Games in 2018 and the 2019 Khelo India Games, and in 2021 secured the Senior National Championship title. These victories not only bolstered his confidence but also provided the necessary financial support to fuel his rise in international competitions.
By 2022, Sumit was a household name in Indian boxing, having clinched a gold at the 2022 Thailand Open and an impressive upset victory at the Strandja Memorial tournament. He represented India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the World Championships, earning recognition as an Army Havildar. However, the peak of his career was marred by a devastating injury during the national championships in Paris, where he suffered a severe ACL and meniscus tear that sidelined him for nearly two years.
Sumit's path to redemption was fraught with doubt and physical rehabilitation, but his resolve remained unbroken. Guided by his childhood coach Ved Prakash and the unwavering support of his family, Sumit pushed through the rehabilitation process, determined to reclaim his place on the international stage. Dropping down to the 70kg weight class, Sumit made his triumphant return to the national selection trials for the Asian Games, defeating top-ranked athletes along the way.
His incredible comeback culminated in a sensational final victory at the Asian Games, where he defeated Deepak in the final to secure his spot on the Indian team. Sumit's journey from a young boy whose dreams were derailed by tragedy to an international boxing champion is a powerful reminder that true champions are forged not in the absence of adversity, but in the face of it.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
