Manoj Kumar is an Indian amateur boxer from Haryana who competes in the light welterweight (64 kg) division. He came to national prominence after winning a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi, and has represented India at the Olympic Games and multiple international championships. He was awarded the Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 2014 for his contribution to the sport.
Key facts
| Full name | Manoj Kumar |
|---|---|
| Sport | Boxing (amateur) |
| Weight category | Light welterweight (64 kg) |
| Home state | Haryana, India |
| Hometown | Rajound, Kaithal district, Haryana |
| Major medal | Gold, 2010 Commonwealth Games, New Delhi |
| Olympic appearance | 2012 Summer Olympics, London |
| National honour | Arjuna Award (2014) |
| Employment | Indian Railways |
Background
Manoj Kumar was born and brought up in Rajound, a village in the Kaithal district of Haryana, a state that has produced several of India's leading amateur boxers. He took up boxing at a young age and progressed through the national amateur system, eventually establishing himself in the senior India squad in the light welterweight category. Like many Indian sportspersons, he is employed with the Indian Railways, which supports his training and competitive career. His younger brother, Rajesh Kumar Rajaund, is also associated with boxing and has worked as a coach.
Career
2010 Commonwealth Games
Manoj Kumar's breakthrough at the international level came at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, where he won the gold medal in the 64 kg category. The home Games were a strong outing for Indian boxers overall, and his title was among the gold medals secured by the Indian boxing contingent.
2012 London Olympics
Following his Commonwealth gold, Manoj qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where he represented India in the light welterweight division. His participation came after a contested selection process, with Manoj approaching the courts to secure his place in the Indian team. He competed in the early rounds of the Olympic boxing tournament before being eliminated.
Subsequent international competition
Manoj continued to compete on the international circuit through the following years, taking part in events such as the Asian Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. He represented India at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast, alongside appearances at the Asian Games. He has also been associated with India's professional boxing scene as the sport's structures evolved in the country.
Awards and recognition
- Gold medal, 64 kg, 2010 Commonwealth Games, New Delhi.
- Arjuna Award, conferred by the President of India in 2014, for outstanding performance in boxing.
- Cash awards and recognition from the Government of Haryana under its sports incentive policy for medal-winning athletes.
Significance
Manoj Kumar is part of a generation of Haryana-based boxers, alongside figures such as Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar, who placed Indian amateur boxing on the international map in the late 2000s and early 2010s. His Commonwealth gold at home in 2010 and his subsequent Olympic appearance contributed to the sport's growing visibility in India and to the strengthening of the boxing programme within the Indian Railways and Haryana's state sports system.
Related topics
- Boxing in India
- Boxing Federation of India
- India at the 2010 Commonwealth Games
- India at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Arjuna Award
- Sports in Haryana
- Vijender Singh
References
- Official records of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Delhi.
- Official results of the boxing tournament at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London.
- Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — list of Arjuna Award recipients.