Nishant Dev: 'God-Gifted' Boxer with Olympic Dreams

Nishant Dev, India's Olympic-bound boxer in the 71kg weight category, exudes an unwavering confidence that stems from his belief in his exceptional abilities. He attributes his success to a harmonious blend of speed, timing, and power, which he considers a divine gift.

Dev's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2021, he made a remarkable debut at the World Championships, reaching the light middleweight quarterfinals. Two years later, he secured a bronze medal at the same event, solidifying his status as one of India's most promising boxers.

When asked to elaborate on his strengths, Dev confidently stated, "I am god-gifted. I have everything in me. Power, speed, and timing. But the main thing is skills. If you have that, you can win against any kind of boxer."

Dev's path to the Olympics was not without its challenges. He had struggled with a persistent shoulder niggle for years. However, he overcame this obstacle through rigorous training and unwavering determination.

At the final qualifying event in Bangkok, Dev showcased his dominance, securing his place in the Paris Games. He had previously narrowly missed out at the previous qualifiers after a heartbreaking loss to Omari Jones of the USA.

Reflecting on that defeat, Dev admitted that it fueled his anger and determination. "I have done a lot of work for the competition. I have changed my strategy a bit. This time, I put in the effort from the very first second of the very first round and continued till the last second of the bout. I took out my anger from America (the bout against Jones). I had a lot of confidence that I will win this time."

While Dev acknowledges his natural talent, he emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication. "Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard as well. I used my skills, I hit more body shots to completely exhaust my opponent, drain him of his energy. I have a lot of power inside me, but you cannot win a boxing match on the basis of just power. You will have to add small things in it, like speed, timing, power, boxing mind as well. So I mixed up all these things."

Dev's success is a testament to his unwavering belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of excellence. As he prepares for the Paris Olympics, he carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, determined to make India proud on the world stage.

Tags: #NishantDev, #Boxing, #Olympics, #Paris2024, #IndianBoxing