Malick Asghar Hashmi/New Delhi

Mention sports in Hyderabad and the images of Muslim players like Syed Kirnami,  Syed Azharuddin, Arshad Ayyub, Sania Mirza, Mohammad Siraj, and Nikhat Zareen, conjure up in one’s mind. However, only a few remember that boxer Mohammad Hussamuddin, who has made India proud many times.

It’s worth mentioning that Mohammad Hussamuddin's father was the first coach of Boxer Nikhat Zareen.

Hussamuddin was inspired to pick up boxing due to his brothers Ehteshamuddin and Ehtesamuddin. He said though he faced many ups and downs in his life, he is focused on his training in the most important year of his career.

Hussamuddin is on the trail of seeking an Olympic medal.

He said, “I never accepted defeat silently. Despite adverse circumstances, I am always ready to fight. I never felt nervous. Therefore, I am confident of bringing more glory for the country and achieving my ultimate goal at the Paris Olympics.”

Hussamuddin is a Subedar in the Indian Army. He admires the two-time Olympic champion Vasyl Lomachenko for his footwork and style. He said he hopes to get a cash incentive for a bronze medal at the World Championships.

Mohammad Hussamuddin, 29, competes in the 56 kg category. He was born in Nizamabad, Telangana in a family of boxers. He is the youngest among his six brothers - four of whom are associated with sport. Hussamuddin was afraid of wearing gloves until his father and coach Mohammed Shamsuddin relieved him of that fear and trained him at the Collectorate grounds in Nizamabad.

He is a recipient of the Arjuna Award, has won a Bronze medal in the first India International Open Boxing Championship, a Bronze medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, a Bronze medal in the World Boxing Championships 2023  Silver medal in 2019: Felix Stam Tournament and 2019: 38th GB Boxing Tournament, Helsinki, Finland. These are some of his recent achievements.

Mohammad Hussamuddin made his debut at the Junior Nationals in Aurangabad in 2009 where he won a bronze medal.

In the Senior Nationals, he won a gold medal.

The boxer's potential was quickly recognized and in 2011, he was sent for a fortnight's training and competition in Havana, Cuba, before competing at the 2012 Tamer Tournament in Finland and later the Youth World Championships in Yerevan, Armenia.

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His performance in international competitions culminated with a bronze medal at the 2015 Military World Games. Since then he did not look back. Today he has become one of the best boxers in the country in his weight category.