Shouldering responsibility was not new for Gauri, who has been supervising activities of the Women’s Cell in the Maharashtra Amateur Boxing Association. Though she appeared on the boxing scenario only in 2002 officially, her association with the sport dates back to the 1980s when she was courting her to-be husband, boxer Milan Vaidya. Though Gauri has never boxed in a ring, she is well-versed with rules and regulations of the game. While her husband was knocking out opponents, Gauri was poring over the boxing rules book to understand the technicalities better and enjoy her husband’s bouts. And if she had any problem, there was Nagpurwala to help her out. She says, “I was among the few lucky officials who was trained by a great like Gaive Nagpurwala, one of the best boxing referees the state has produced.

Being connected with the fitness and dieting field, 39-year-old has had a fair experience in dealing with male clients and hence boxing was no big deal. “Though there was some initial discomfort, the boxing circle welcomed me,” she claims.

Women’s boxing in Maharashtra had started in 2001, a year before Gauri took a plunge into it after seeing the best of the boxers emerge from outfits like the BEG and Indian Navy. An aggressive sport like boxing did not attract many women and in turn, the officials too kept away. It was then that Gauri decided to literally jump into the ring. “Coaching and officiating was restricted only to men during that time,” she explains.

She set a bench mark for others at the 2003 Mizoram Nationals, where during the judging exams, she scored the highest marks and since then, has been recognised as ‘The one with highest marks’. However, Gauri likes to talk about the MABA and its officials, who now appear well-groomed while on duty during the tournaments in the state. She was the one to set the trend of a dress code for officials, which includes white shirt and trousers with a black bow.

Once, a woman official came in salwar kameez to officiate a bout, but Gauri is comfortable in her whites and says, “That’s the way it has to be done”. Speaking about officiating men’s bouts she points out, “The only difference is that I have to be extra alert as the men move fast, otherwise it just depends on the person.” She further clarifies, “When I officiated my first bout, it was written all over my face that I was in-charge here!”

Not only has officiating changed, women boxers have also improved over the years. Gauri says,”There was a time when the women boxers had no technique and their movements in the ring were awkward. There was no proper awareness about fitness and weight training.”

“The scenario has changed now and so has the fear of the ring, gone. The NIS’ six-week coaching programme has helped as there are many qualified coaches now. There are national championships for juniors too, unlike some two years ago,” she informs.