NEW DELHI: Just weeks before stepping into the ring at the Commonwealth Games, Jaismine Lamboria was fighting a battle far away from the spotlight.The reigning 57kg world champion was confined to a hospital bed, battling an unknown illness that threatened to derail her Glasgow campaign. But on Saturday, the 24-year-old from Bhiwani completed a stunning comeback story, defeating defending champion Michaela Walsh of Northern Ireland to clinch the women’s 57kg gold medal.For Jaismine, the Commonwealth Games title was not just another medal — it was the reward for months of pain, uncertainty and perseverance.
From Asian Championships struggle to hospital bed
Jaismine’s troubles began at the Asian Championships in March, where she stepped into the ring despite running a high fever. Refusing to give up, she fought through three demanding bouts, eventually reaching the final and securing direct qualification for the Commonwealth Games with a silver medal.“I was running high fever after my very first bout,” Jaismine recalled. “I was in bad shape. Somehow I reached the semifinal and there I fought a very tough contest and won 3-2. Those three fights were extremely difficult, but I gave everything I had,” she told PTI.The tournament, however, came at a cost. During the final, she suffered a blow to the head that led to a concussion. Doctors conducted scans, but fortunately, the reports came back clear.After returning home, another setback followed.“I returned to India, trained for around 20 days and then again fell sick. I had high fever, was on a lot of medication and was even admitted to hospital,” she said.“I don’t know what this illness is. I hope everything is alright and I recover,” she had said during that difficult period.The illness forced her to miss India’s exposure camp in the Czech Republic in June, disrupting preparations for the biggest event of her year, especially with the 57kg category not part of the Asian Games programme.
‘The coaches told me not to worry about the result’
The extended break affected Jaismine mentally as well.“I did have a lot of negative thoughts,” she admitted.But support from her team and work with a sports psychologist helped her rebuild confidence.“I worked with the psychologist and she kept me motivated,” she said.Jaismine was able to resume training only on July 1, barely a month before the Commonwealth Games.“The coaches supported me and told me to take it slow, get fit and not worry about the result. They just asked me to stay confident,” she added.Despite arriving in Glasgow after an interrupted build-up and carrying the pressure of expectations as world champion, Jaismine delivered when it mattered most. She defeated Walsh in a closely fought final to improve on her bronze medal-winning performance from Birmingham four years ago.The gold medal represented a remarkable turnaround for the Indian boxer.“I am very happy. I had come with the aim of changing the colour of my medal and winning gold for India,” Jaismine concluded.
