Boxing has always been a famous sport in our country. Still, it is in nascent stage in India. India has been churning out many boxers over the years in hopes of an Olympic Medal. But Vijendra Singh and Mary Kom have been able to achieve that dream, some have turned to pro-boxing in hopes of a better earning. Still, the life of boxers in India is very difficult.
Meet Rajesh Kumar Kasana, popularly known as Luka a professional boxer is the Number 1 Lightweight professional boxer in India and 221st in the world (WBC) professional boxing rankings in his weight category. He is from Haryana’s Bhiwani,a hub of international level boxers who have brought several medals and awards to our country. Renowned professional boxer Vijendra Singh also hails from the same village He also belongs to the same village Bhiwani, also known as little “Cuba” around the world. Vijendra sigh is the role model for him. He has inspired by him and wants to meet Vijendra in the future to seek his professional inputs on a sport that both of them love.
Rajesh fought his first-ever professional bout in 2015 when he defeated Manpreet Singh, a silver medalist at the 2010 Asian Games. Since then he has gone onto fight another ten bouts, winning nine and drawing one in the lightweight category. He remains unbeaten –he is India’s best lightweight boxer.
 |
| Credit:ThebetterIndia |
Like many athletes in India, life was very hard for the Haryana pugilist. He has brought up in a nuclear family –parents, a sister and a brother. His father, the driver by profession, died of cancer when Rajesh was in school.
 |
| Credit:Indiatimes |
As his father was the only source of income after his death he left his studies and started driving. But it did not go well for him. So he started a small tea shop with his brother to meet his daily needs.
"10 rs ki chai aur thoda khane ka saaman bechta hun. Usi se gujara kar rha hun (I sell tea for Rs. 10 and some eatables to earn my livelihood)," Rajesh told in an exclusive interview.
The plight of pugilist does not end here. In 2011 his sister was also diagnosed with cancer. To cover the medical expenses of his sister he was forced to sell his ancestral village property. Despite their best efforts she could not be saved and died in 2011.
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” -Dale Carnegie
Fortunately for Rajesh,he has Delhi-based Royal Sports Promotions in his corner, who has helped him get fights, pay for his boxing gloves, dietary necessities, and other daily expenses.
 |
| Credit:Google |
Every day he wakes up at 5 AM and works in tea stall till 1PM, following which his brother comes to take over. After lunch and some rest, he heads straight for boxing practice at around 6 PM. He never feels exhausted as he wants to fulfill his father's dream at any cost.
"My father wanted me to become a boxer. I want to fulfil his dreams at any cost," Rajesh said.
He is aspiring to become like Vijendra. He would like to meet the Olympian and would ask to show the way to become an eminent world professional boxer like him.
As the adage goes, ‘no matter how tall a wall is, never stop climbing!’References:
https://newsd.in/inspiring-story-of-tea-seller-turned-pro-boxer-from-haryana-will-win-your-heart/
https://www.thebetterindia.com/161700/vijender-singh-haryana-kasana-boxing-tea-news/
💕
