Antheras Lalit Lakra with Best Services Sportsman Award at his residence in Jamshedpur. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, Oct. 26: Antheras Lalit Lakra is back home with an award and promotion. And now he is busy preparing for his wedding in December.

The 28-year-old pugilist, a resident of Birsanagar, who works with the Indian Navy in Mumbai, bagged the Best Services Sportsman Award 2008-09 for outstanding performance in international meets. The trophy was handed over to him by the chief of army staff at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on October 20.

After pocketing gold in the inter-departmental tournament held recently at Bangalore, Lakra needs rest to nurse his injured right elbow. “The elbow is quite painful. I need some rest. I skipped the senior nationals because of this,” he told The Telegraph.

He added that he was glad to bag the honour from his employers. “The award is given every year to sportspersons on the roll of the three services — navy, army and air force. Performance at international events form the yardstick for choosing the recipient,” Lakra, who was part of the Indian squad for last year’s Beijing Olympics, said.

Besides the glittering trophy, the strongly built pugilist, who learnt the nuances of the game under the tutelage of his father at the Tata Boxing Centre, the award has also won Lakra a promotion. “I’ll be promoted as master (Class II) chief physical trainer. I’ve been working as chief physical trainer with the navy,” he said, adding the promotion letter would be handed over to him once he goes back to Mumbai.

“I’m in the city till October 30. Actually, I’m here to prepare for my marriage,” he said with a smile. Lakra will tie the knot with Savita Rani, a resident of Telco, on December 28. “I’ve met my lady. She’s fine. Marriage will be a new innings for me,” the featherweight pugilist added.

Participation in Olympics, bronze in the Moscow World Cup and a quarterfinal slot in the world meet at Chicago, which ensured his qualification for the Beijing Olympics, enabled Lakra to bag the award. “I think the Chicago meet helped me clinch the award. I won three bouts in that event and also qualified for the Olympics,” Lakra said.

He has also claimed several other medals, including gold at the Commonwealth Boxing Championship at Glasgow (Scotland) in 2005.

Besides stamping his authority on the international arena, Lakra has also floored his opponents in the domestic circuit.

The three-time senior national champion is one of the top pugilists in the country. He’ll also don Jharkhand colours in the 34th National Games.

Ernest, who’s produced several men and women boxers, is obviously happy with his son’s success. “He was so small when I introduced him to boxing. I knew that Antheras has in him the qualities of becoming a good boxer. He’s a hard worker. May the Almighty bless him with more such laurels,” he said.