A lack of facilities made Hussamuddin train at a local "kabristan" in Nizamabad — and he's bringing laurels to the country.
Mohammed Hussamuddin. (Supplied)
On 9 January, Telangana boxer Mohammed Hussamuddin stood in a room full of people, waiting to be bestowed with the prestigious Arjuna Award. South First brings to you his origin story and it starts with his boxing idol.
The sky is the limit for Vasyl Anatoliyovych Lomachenko when his knuckles point upwards, gloved fists up against his chin, and eyes focused on the opponent with the sharpness of a hungry tiger. The leading leg rocks forth and back, and the rear foot follows at a measured distance, ready to lunge.
As the bell goes, it is a magic of footwork, balance, speed, and unpredictable agility. The Ukrainian pugilist’s results speak volumes about the magic he weaves in the ring: 369 wins and one loss.
Miles and a continent away at Phulong in Telangana’s Nizamabad, Lomachenko’s exploits flash through the mind of Mohammed Hussamuddin each time he wraps his fists for practice. An ardent fan of Lomachenko, the 29-year-old soft-spoken boxer was recently honoured with the Arjuna Award.
Hussamuddin with coaches and support staff after assuring a medal at the World Boxing Championship in 2023. (Supplied)
The Telangana boxer sees the prestigious recognition as a much-needed “boost and motivation” that could not have come at a better time: Ahead of the qualifying tournaments for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I was very excited to know that I have been nominated for the Arjuna Award in December. Every sportsperson dreams of getting this award. I was a bit nervous and excited at the same time, and had butterflies in my stomach,” Hussamuddin said, adding that the feeling could not be expressed in words.
He spoke to South First from Patiala.
Hussamuddin comes from a family of pugilists. His father initiated him into the sport. His entire family accompanied him to the star-studded Arjuna Award ceremony. “All of them were very happy,” said Hussamuddin, who fights in the 57-kg featherweight class.
The 2023 IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships bronze medalist is currently in the national camp at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala where he is undergoing “trials and assessment” along with three other boxers.
“After the awards, I could not return home as two qualification rounds were left. Currently, the coaches are assessing us which includes sparring, domination, and other skills. I am polishing the same tactics I had during the World Championships,” Hussamuddin said.
Hussamuddin in hospital while recovering from a severe knee injury in 2023. (Supplied)
The first World Olympic Boxing Qualifier will be held in Italy’s Busto Arsizio, around 50 minutes drive from Milan, between 29 February and 12 March, while the second will take place in Thailand’s capital Bangkok between 23 May 23 and 3 June.
For the second half of last year, the boxer was in a state of “depression” after he suffered a career-threatening knee injury during the World Championships in Tashkent. Consequently, he had to forfeit his semifinal bout against Saidel Horta of Cuba.
The southpaw also had to miss the Hangzhou Asian Games — the first qualifier for this year’s Olympics.
“Initially, I did not think that it was a career-threatening injury, but when I returned and got assessed in Delhi then became aware that my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) was torn. I was nervous and depressed that it happened during the qualifiers,” said Hussamuddin.
He underwent a surgery and completed his rehabilitation at the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS) in Bellary.
Hussamuddin’s father Mohammed Shamsuddin was the first coach of World Champion Nikhat Zareen. He introduced Hussamuddin and his brothers to boxing. At an early age, the now pugilist was pursuing gymnastics.
“I was a naughty kid so I enrolled in gymnastics. I used to earlier do it just for fitness,” he recalled, adding that he used to accompany his father and brothers to watch boxing tournaments. “I used to consider boxing as a maar-dhaar (brawl) ka game. I was attracted by the cheering of the crowd as it used to pump me up,” he added.
It was then the desire to join boxing took over Hussamuddin, now a two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medalist.
Hussamuddin with his father Shamsuddin in his early days (on top) and receiving a welcome after winning the bronze medal at World Boxing Championships 2023. (Supplied)
Initially, he used to train at a nearby kabristan (graveyard) that was used as a parking space by the locals. “My father would set up a makeshift punching bag. It used to be a hectic schedule between school and training.”
Recalling how his father was strict about punctuality, he added, “Be it rain, shine, family gathering or anything else, my father would not miss a single day of training and till date, he continues to do so. Even if we used to be five minutes late, he used to send us home and once he was home he would reprimand us for being late. So, I used to get frustrated that why I have to box always and could not play anything else.”
Hussamuddin has five brothers and two sisters of whom the two elder brothers — Ahteshamuddin and Aitesamuddin — also inspired him to pick up boxing gloves. “I used to see their names in newspaper clippings and get inspired,” he remembered.
His brothers, are his pillars of strength. “Our home is totally about boxing. More than me, my family cares about my boxing. They say that think about boxing even if you eat. My two elder brothers keep giving me suggestions over the phone even though we don’t meet frequently,” Hussamuddin chuckles.
He is fond of eating Hyderabadi dishes — Biryani, Tahari, and Mandi — but his strict diet plan allows him to cheat only when he is home.
People used to doubt his potential because of his short 5’4″ stature. “People used to say I am short and won’t be able to perform. My father had confidence in me and today those people have been proved wrong,” asserts a proud Hussamuddin.
Growing up in the United Andhra, Hussamuddin rose to fame amid a dearth of boxing opportunities in Nizamabad unlike Northern regions of Haryana, Punjab, and North-eastern states, especially Manipur.
Hussamuddin with his parents and brother after receiving Arjuna Award on 9 January, 2024. (Supplied)
“Forget opportunities, there is not even a proper ground to play any sport let alone boxing, even today. The whole of Nizamabad comes and plays in the collectorate field. My father made a ring, and bought equipment from his pocket, and provides free training even now,” he remarked.
It seems as if his father Shamsuddin was the trailblazer in the boxing revolution in Nizamabad.
A grim Hussamuddin said he has been applying to the state government to provide land to open a boxing academy since 2018.
“After Nikhat Zareen and my achievements, more youngsters have started training but there are no proper facilities,” he lamented, adding that he would like to train young athletes after he hangs up his gloves.
His younger brother Qayam is also a boxer and aspires to win laurels for the country just like him.
Not many know that apart from being an international boxer, Hussamuddin is also a Subedar in the Indian Army.
His first big highlight was a gold medal in 2015 at the Military World Games after which he went on to win the Senior National Championship while donning the Services colours.
“I joined the Army in 2012-13. After seeing the level of high competition there, I felt the need to up my game,” he recollected.
Hussamuddin after winning a gold medal while representing Services at the 2023 Senior National Boxing Championship. (Supplied)
The boxer had to initially struggle to even make a cut for the Services team owing to the tough competition.
“Around 2012-13, the real struggle began as there used to be 60 to 70 boys in one weight category and it was tough to make your place. So, I worked hard on my game then. The intra-army competition is so that much that once you become a champion there, then it is likely that you will be the national champion too,” he explained.
However, as the rules have been changed now, he would like to feature for his home state, Telangana if given a chance.
“Being in the Army meant that you had to play for Services only but now the rules have been changed. So, if I get a chance I would like to play in Telangana jersey,” said Hussamuddin
“I like his boxing skills, his footwork, style, movements. I find them interesting,” he said of Lomachenko, his hero.
With a little push, sky will be the limit for Hussamuddin, too, like the Ukrainian boxer.
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