One thing is amply clear for a country basking in a never-before-experienced glory of three medals from one Games. If there was a sport that came close to living up to its pre-Games promise, it was boxing. Once the celebrations from our Beijing wins wane, a measured look at where our three medallists came from will still find faultlines. The stories of Abhinav Bindra and Sushil Kumar are of individual brilliance more than the result of a systematic programme aimed at success. The stories of Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar, though, are those of a hope of better things to come. Cynicism comes easy these days and Indian sport probably invites more than its share. The Bhiwani Boxing Club (BBC) is, then, a refuge in more ways than one.

We have come to Bhiwani searching for some answers. Like how a town not many had heard of managed to place four boxers in one Olympic Games, three of whom made the quarter-finals. What sets this town apart from others? A look at the Bhiwani Boxing Club and the questions only multiply.

Tucked in a corner, almost hidden by fields, the yellow brick building is more a farm outhouse than a possible breeding centre of international sportspersons. If quaintness equalled success, the place would get top marks. And well, now it does.

“It’s away from the hustle-bustle of a town,” says Jagdish Singh, the man made famous by his protégés. Akhil, Vijender and Jitender got the whole country to pause and take notice with their gutsy show and disciplined approach; Singh was not surprised. These are the qualities he would like his club to be known for.

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