India’s first Dronacharya Award-winning boxing coach OP Bhardwaj dies

The first boxing coach to be honoured with the Dronacharya Award, OP Bhardwaj, died in Delhi on Friday following a battle with illness and age-related issues. 

The 82-year-old Bhardwaj had lost his wife Santosh to poor health 10 days ago.

OP Bhardwaj, who received the Dronacharya along with BB Bhagwat (wrestling) and OM Nambiar (athletics) in 1985, played a crucial role in shaping the future of boxing in India.

A former Army man, Bhardwaj was the national coach of the Indian boxing team from 1968 to 1989 and also served as a national selector for many years.

Under his guidance, Indian boxers succeeded at the international stage with medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the South Asian Games. 

OP Bhardwaj was later roped in as the first chief instructor for boxing at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala in 1975.

“In 1975, when the NIS came up with the proposal for coaching diplomas in boxing, Bhardwaj was picked to start the course,” TL Gupta, a close family friend and a former boxing coach, told PTI.

“I remember, in those days, when there were no computers and hardly anyone knew how to type, he bought a typewriter from a trip to Russia,” recalled Gupta.

"He would write letter after letter to authorities demanding better amenities for boxers at NIS using that typewriter. He typed with just one finger because he had no formal training in typing.”

Former national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu also paid tribute to Bhardwaj, with whom he shared a “magnificent” friendship. 

“I saw him lay the foundation for Indian boxing to flourish,” said Sandhu, under whose guidance Vijender Singh won India’s first-ever Olympic medal in boxing. “He was always there with the boys. He would never stand and instruct.

“He would run with the boys during training, even long-distance runs. It is something I learnt from him, to be completely involved,” Sandhu pointed out.