Who is Mohammad Hussamuddin, Indian boxer with two Commonwealth Games bronze medals?

Since the last decade, boxing has witnessed a sharp rise in popularity in India. While many Indians still look for top boxing bouts between world-renowned boxers, recent top international events have changed the notion of the sport in the minds of the viewers.

While it was Vijender Singh who popularised the sport in India when he became the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal at the 2008 edition, the sport has come a long way since then. Modern-day boxers have taken the centre stage after being inspired by the likes of Vijender Singh and Mary Kom and one of them is Mohammad Hussamuddin, who announced himself to the world at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Rohit Tokas wins bronze medal in boxing

Born on February 12, 1994, in Nizamabad, Telangana, to a family where boxing was a way of life, it was not late for Mohammad Hussamuddin to pick up an interest in the combat sport. His father, Samsamuddin used to be a boxer himself. Husamuddin, who was the youngest of three brothers, saw his elder brothers Ahteshamuddin and Aitesamuddin represent the country on the International stages when he was growing up.

While peer pressure might have been the reason for him to pick up the sport, it certainly also helped him to become a better version of himself. Soon after beginning his career, Hussamuddin won a bronze medal at the India International Open in New Delhi. However, it was 2018 when he truly announced himself to the world.

Hussamuddin began 2018 with a gold medal at the Chemistry Cup in Germany. His performances after that only looked more promising as he went on to clinch his first Commonwealth Games medal (bronze) in Gold Coast, Australia. He followed the Commonwealth Games’ success at the Asian Games in Indonesia, however, failed to win any medal at the continental event.

Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: 19-year-old Indian wrestler Deepak Nehra claims bronze medal

The Indian boxer won the silver medal in Thailand Open International Boxing in 2019, before clinching another silver at the 38th Gee-Bee Tournament in Finland. After the COVID-19 lockdown, he went on to register another silver medal in 2020, at the International Boxing Tournament Strandja.

However, Hussamuddin could not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. He did not let it contain his talents as he won the silver medal at the Elite Men’s National Boxing Championships. Later, he also qualified for the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, where he won a bronze medal and became the Indian boxing contingent’s second athlete to win a medal at the mega event.