Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a vision, a dream — Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of boxing, had once said. On the pitch, in the ring and on the grounds, Jharkhand has sporting geniuses who desire to make that extra effort to win, who have a vision for life like nobody else and who never let go of their dreams. On the threshold of a new year, here is looking back with pride at the cool quartet who have always had goals to keep them going

CRICKET CUB

For a 17-year-old, having a first-class average of 40.88, certainly speaks volumes for his batting skills. Say hello to Ishan Kishan, the boyish willow warrior from Ranchi who doubles up as a keeper behind the wickets and has recently been appointed the captain of India’s Under-19 squad in the World Cup, slated in Bangladesh from January 27.

The southpaw, a superb opening century to his credit in the Ranji match against Jammu and Kashmir at Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur last month, is being dubbed as the next Dhoni of Jharkhand. Coach Rahul Dravid, too, has praised his calm and cool approach, and the hard yards he puts in behind batting and wicketkeeping.

If the current year has been fruitful for the cub cricketer, the coming year won’t be any different. Originally from Aurangabad in Bihar, Ishan came to Ranchi in 2011 and represented Jharkhand in Under-16 ties. 

An intermediate student at College of Commerce, Patna, he played well in the recently held Under-19 triangular one-day series with Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Calcutta, and is also a part of the national squad for another triangular with Sri Lanka and England. 

However, playing skipper for his Under-19 team in the World Cup will be quite a test of his mettle. “Yes, I guess so. I am whipping up confidence. Captaining the country is both huge honour and responsibility. I will go the whole hog to win the Cup,” said Ishan, who plays for SAIL (R&D) in the Ranchi cricket league.

Way to go, boy!

TARGET OLYMPICS

He is the only archer from India to have secured an individual berth in the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro. Meet our braveheart for Brazil Mangal Singh Champia, a 31-year-old recurve ace from remote Jhinkpani near Chaibasa in West Singhbhum.

Mangal had clinched his hot Rio date after trouncing Spaniard Antonio Fernandez in the recurve quarter-finals at the Archery World Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark, in July. So, how is he preparing for the Big Bullseye?

“I am finding myself in nice groove and hoping my form will continue next year. I have experience of competing in the Olympics since I was a part of the national outfit in Beijing (2008). My strong point is I don’t lose nerve while taking aim at big-ticket competitions,” Mangal, who had claimed a team bronze at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, said.

With tribal resolve, he added that he was looking at nothing less than gold in the Olympics. “The trip to Brazil for a pre-Olympics test in September was fruitful. I got a feel of the shooting arena. Unlike Beijing, I will be better prepared for Rio because I know the winds there.”

Here’s hoping for winds of change in the Rio Olympics.

LADY OF THE RING

A feisty woman with fists of fury, Aruna Mishra made both India and Jharkhand proud by clinching the 75kg gold at the World Police and Fire Games at Fairfax County in Virginia, US, in June-July.

The 35-year-old mother of two daughters floored Kazakhstan’s Christina P. in the third round to win international applause at the States meet. Earlier in the year, the Jharkhand Police inspector had slotted home yet another yellow metal at the 35th National Games in Kerala.

Having pulled all the right punches in 2015, Aruna has plans to enter the professional ring. “I have been an amateur boxer for over two decades now. Two gold medals this year have made me greedy for more. Now, I am serious about pursuing a career in boxing,” she said.

The fast-footed warrior, who honed her skills at Tata Steel Boxing Centre and currently trains budding boxers at Birsa Boxing Centre in Birsanagar, Jamshedpur, stressed she wasn’t thinking about hanging her gloves anytime soon. “I still have enough firepower in me,” she grinned.

We’ve our eyes on you, lady.

QUIVER QUEEN

Often called the nanny of archery for her experience and expertise, Jhano Hansda bagged three gold medals in the compound division at the World Police and Fire Games at Fairfax County in Virginia, US, in June-July.

The 38-year-old seasoned archer, who had started her career in recurve before switching to compound, is known for her longevity in the country’s archery circuit. A sub-inspector with Jharkhand Police, Jhano has no plans to retire when she still has the aim to give younger archers a run for their money. 

“I have been donning country colours for years and don’t feel tired at all. I wish to continue my 2015 form and excel in the new year. Archery is my first love,” she said, adding, “Budding archers should concentrate better and never skip practice. I still train hard to maintain my fitness. Jharkhand is the cradle of archery and it must stay so.”

We cannot agree more.

 

 

Compiled by Jayesh Thaker