Age takes a back seat when Aruna Mishra steps into the boxing ring.
The champion pugilist from Jamshedpur claimed the gold in the women's 69kg category at the 65th All India Police Games, which concluded in Patna on Tuesday. The 37-year-old floored CRPF's S. Monthoi in the summit clash late in the evening, proving that in spite of work pressure, leave hassles and lack of adequate practice, Aruna is a winner.
Loads of experience, quick reflexes coupled with swift movement in the ring is what makes this police inspector with the special branch the best woman boxer in Jharkhand.
" Abhi ruki kahan hun. Mujhe toh aur swaran padak jitte rahna hain. (I haven't stopped yet. I want to continue winning more gold medals)," Aruna, a mother of two daughters, said over telephone from Patna.
Steel city-based Lakshmi Padiya claimed bronze in the women's 81kg weight section.
Aruna practised for a month in run-up to the police meet. "The police department released me a month before the meet. Police elsewhere sanction long leave to even bronze medal winners. But my case is different even though I if have won laurels for my employers," Aruna, who also claimed the top slot in the 2015 Police Games in Delhi, said.
"But, I will continue despite all odds," she added.
Aruna said her next target would be to repeat her gold winning feat at the World Police and Fire Games to be held in the US in July. "I won it in 2015 and would like to do an encore," she said.
Aruna's performance in Patna shows that age is no barrier if one enters the ring with confidence. "At 37, it's difficult to remain afloat in a power sport like boxing. But she is still continuing to win gold. Hats off to her," said mentor Ernest Lakra, who trains youngsters at Birsa Boxing Centre, an academy run by Aruna at Birsanagar.
He pointed out that Aruna was a brave fighter who seldom lost a bout. "Aruna is mentally very strong. She also carries enough power in her punches," he explained.
Sibling Taruna, who accompanied the Jharkhand Police team as coach, said, "She has always been a champion boxer. She still floors rivals with utmost ease."
