Legacy of Boxing Great Capt Hawa Singh Continues with His Family

Capt Hawa Singh's Boxing Legacy Lives On

The remarkable legacy of boxing icon Capt Hawa Singh Sheoran, who dominated as the National Heavyweight Champion for an impressive 11 years from 1961 to 1972, is being upheld by his son, Sanjay Sheoran, a recipient of the Bhim Award, and his granddaughter, 26-year-old Nupur Sheoran.

Nupur takes pride in being part of a boxing lineage, having secured medals in international events and enhancing Bhiwani’s status as a prominent boxing hub in India.

Bhiwani, often referred to as the 'mini Cuba' due to its reputation for producing exceptional boxers, owes much of this recognition to the Sheoran family. Cuba has long been celebrated as a powerhouse in the boxing world.

Currently, Nupur holds the title of World Champion in her age category (81+ kg) and has already earned a medal for India at the ongoing World Boxing Championship in Liverpool, which runs from September 4 to 14.

She is now preparing to compete against her opponent in the semi-finals.

Sanjay expressed immense pride in his daughter's accomplishments, stating that she has made the nation proud.

"Boxing is in her blood. Following her grandfather's legacy, she chose to step into the ring. Her achievements are remarkable, and I am confident she will continue to bring glory to our country," he remarked.

As a boxing coach, Sanjay noted that together with his father and daughter, their family has amassed over 60 medals, receiving prestigious accolades such as the Dronacharya Award, Arjuna Award, and Bhim Award.

Capt Hawa Singh Sheoran. File photo

Capt Hawa Singh was instrumental in introducing boxing to Bhiwani by establishing a coaching academy after retiring from the Army in 1986. His contributions yielded significant results, with numerous athletes, including Olympic medalist Vijender Kumar and Akhil Kumar, achieving international success. Today, Bhiwani stands as a central figure in India's boxing landscape, having nurtured many athletes who excel at both national and international levels.

In memory of Capt Hawa Singh, who passed away on August 14, 2000, a boxing ring in the town bears his name, and a statue has been erected at Bhim Stadium. Besides being a national champion, he was a two-time Asian Champion and received the Arjuna Award in 1988. He was also posthumously awarded the Dronacharya Award for his coaching contributions.

Continuing his legacy, Sanjay, an Asian medallist, now trains a new generation of boxing talents, including Olympian Pooja Bohra, World Champion Sachin, Asian medallist Diya, and Commonwealth medallists Naman and Akshay.