KIUG 2025: From Brick Kilns to Construction Empires, Boxers Bharti and Devika Prove Grit Has No Class Barrier

Bharatpur, Dec 10: The boxing ring is often called the "square circle of truth. " Inside the ropes, bank balances and family lineages vanish; all that remains is the speed of the fist and the strength

of the will.

This reality was on full display at the boxing arena of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 in Rajasthan, where two young women - Bharti and Devika Satyajit Ghorpade - showcased that while their starting lines in life were miles apart, their destination remains the same: glory for India.

A Tale of Two Worlds

In the Women's Minimum (45-48kg) category, Bharti, representing Maharshi Dayanand University, Haryana, fought her way to a hard-earned silver medal. In the Women's Fly (52kg) category, Devika, representing Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharashtra, dominated to clinch the gold.

However, the contrast begins the moment they step out of the ring.

Bharti is the daughter of a daily wage labourer at a brick factory, a man who toils for Rs 250-300 per day to keep the family afloat.

Devika is the daughter of a construction magnate, her father owning his own established company.

Yet, as the spectators in Bharatpur witnessed, both athletes deserve immense credit. Bharti is celebrated for her refusal to surrender to financial crushing, while Devika is applauded for rejecting a life of easy comfort to embrace the brutal, sweaty grind of professional boxing.

Bharti: Fighting for the Bare Minimum

For 23-year-old Bharti, boxing was not a hobby; it was a lifeline inspired by her cousin, Monika, a successful boxer from Rohtak. However, the journey has been fraught with economic hurdles.

"Athletes from our backgrounds struggle a lot. At the start, we don't even have the bare minimum like basic equipment, diet, and accommodation," Bharti explained candidly.

Bharti, who hails from a Scheduled Caste background, emphasized a crucial point about sports funding in India. While platforms like Khelo India have been a game-changer-this being her third attempt and first medal at the games-she highlighted the gap in grassroots support.

"Frankly speaking, if things don't change miraculously, our performances and the drive to succeed take a hit over time. Nobody needs support when they become a superstar. It's at our level where we need support," said the 2019 Youth National gold winner.

Devika: From Dance Floors to the Podium

While Bharti fought for survival, Devika fought for identity. Originally an aspiring western dancer, her trajectory shifted while watching the 2016 Rio Olympics. Torn between wrestling and boxing, an article about Pune's Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Manoj Pingale pushed her toward the ring.

Devika's resume is already gleaming with international silverware. She is the 2022 Youth World Champion (Spain) and holds a gold from the Golden Glove of Vojvodina (Serbia).

Training at the prestigious SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Devika has proven her mettle repeatedly.

• 2021: Bronze at Asian Junior Championships (Dubai).
• 2024: Bronze at U-22 Asian Championships (Kazakhstan).
• Domestic: Three-time Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) gold medalist.

In her first KIUG appearance, she defeated Mohini from the Sports University of Haryana in the final, proving her consistency.

The Road Ahead: Glasgow and Japan

Despite their differing backgrounds, both pugilists are now looking at the same calendar. Devika has set her sights on the immediate future.

"I am targeting the Senior Nationals. If I win there, I will represent the country in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan next year," Devika stated.

For both Bharti and Devika, the Khelo India University Games 2025 have served as a vital stepping stone. Whether fuelled by the need to break the chain of poverty or the desire to carve a legacy separate from family wealth, these two boxers have proven that in the ring, only hunger counts.