Four-time World Chessboxing Champion Madhavi Gonbare starts crowdfunding for her upcoming international event
Chessboxing, where brain meets brawn, is rapidly gaining popularity in India. We have more than thousands of chessboxers in India, and Madhavi Gonbare, a four-time World Chessboxing Champion is one of them. Her dedication and confidence have brought her to another milestone: becoming India’s first competitor at the prestigious Chessboxing May Day event. The event is scheduled on the 1st of May in London. To get there, she needs our support. The total cost for her travel and competition is Rs. 3 lakh. So far, she has managed to raise Rs. 2,35,701, but Rs. 64,300 is still needed. If you would like to be a part of her inspiring journey, read the full article to find out how you can contribute. Photo: Madhavi Gonbare
Brain meets brawn
India has been a powerhouse in chess. We have produced so many world-class grandmasters. But there is another sport where we are making our mark - Chessboxing. The sport where brain meets brawn. As the sport is still growing in popularity, you would be surprised to know that there are more than thousands of chessboxers in India. Among them is Madhavi Gonbare, a four-time World Champion, with an inspiring journey.
Madhavi has always been a sports enthusiast. In 2016, she took up kickboxing for fitness and self-defense, never imagining where it would lead. Then, in 2017, her coach, Surendra Pandey, introduced her to chessboxing. Chess was completely new to her. But the combination of these two sports excited her. She learned the basics of chess from her brother, Bhupendra. After so much of practice, Madhavi started participating in several Championships. Her hard work paid off faster than expected. That same year, she won her first national championship! Then she won again. And again. And never stopped.
I decided to try it out, and instantly fell in love with the sport. - Madhavi admits with a smile.
Chessboxing is as tough as it sounds. It’s a game that alternates between rounds of boxing and chess. One moment you are throwing punches, and the next, you are calculating chess moves. You can imagine how hard it can be. Your body is racing from the physical exertion, while your brain is trying to stay calm. Your hands might shake when you try to move chess pieces. You have to calm your breathing and focus. But Madhavi loves this part!
It’s not easy to shift your mindset from a high-adrenaline sport like boxing to the calm, strategic thinking needed for chess. But that’s exactly what makes chessboxing so unique. It’s tough, but also interesting! - Madhavi shares.
You can’t just be good at one sport and hope to win. You need to master in both disciplines. One tests your body, the other your mind. And switching between them mid-match is even harder than it sounds. Madhavi understands this and she dedicates almost 6-7 hours daily to her training. For boxing, Madhavi trains at two places - the Central Railway Mechanical Institute Club in Parel under coach Ajit Parab, and the Mumbai Chessboxing Academy in Kandivali with Shailesh Tripathi, India's first chessboxer. For chess, she still practices with her brother, but has also enrolled at Dark Knights Chess Academy in Ghatkopar under Ketan Patil.
When asked if she always dreamed of winning titles, Madhavi’s answer revealed her champion’s mindset:
“Since childhood, I have always been active in various sports. In 2016, I began my journey in combat sports, mainly for self-defense and fitness. But yes, I always imagined myself winning international medals one day. I have always believed in consistency, hard work, and patience. That mindset has pushed me to chase bigger goals.”
For Madhavi, every victory holds unique meaning. Each one represents the hard work, dedication, and challenges she has overcome. “Whether it’s my first win or an international medal, every moment holds a special place in my heart because it reflects a different part of my journey. It makes me feel so connected with Chessboxing.” Madhavi says.
Madhavi isn't alone in putting Indian chessboxing on the map. There is also Sneha Waykar, another champion who has made India proud by winning the IFC at Cultural Olympiad in Paris last year. The two first met at the 2019 World Chessboxing Championship and formed an instant bond. They are not typical rivals. They have become close friends and training partners. "We understand each other's struggles. We also stand in each other’s corners during matches." Madhavi proudly says.
Last year, when Sneha won the historic title, Madhavi was there, not just as a friend, but as her coach. When asked how she felt about Sneha's victory, Madhavi replied:
While the event didn’t directly impact me as a chessboxer in terms of training or performance, it was definitely a big milestone for Chessboxing Sport & a proud moment for India.
But that wasn’t all. The event gave Madhavi something even more special. She met Enki Bilal, the man who invented chessboxing, for the first time!
Now, Madhavi is preparing for her biggest challenge yet - the “Chessboxing May Day” event. It will be held on 1st of May at Scala in London. Organising a prominent chessboxing event on Labour Day is like an annual tradition for the sport in United Kingdom. This event will feature top fighters from around the world. Madhavi was supposed to compete in it last year, but the event was postponed. Now, her dream is finally happening. She will be the first Indian to compete there. There will be only five matches and Madhavi will compete in the third match. She will face an Italian opponent, Beatrice Desiree Furlan. “Representing my country on such a big stage is an honor, and I am ready to give it everything I have got.” Madhavi says.
Address: King’s Cross, Euston Rd., London N1 9AL, United Kingdom
But her journey to this tournament is not easy. She needs financial support to be able to participate in it. She needs a total of Rs. 3 lakh for this tournament. “I am grateful to Namita Sud, Nutan Bhalla, Manoj Sir, Sushil Sir from Lions Club of Bombay Uptown, Ashley Sir, Vinay somani sir & Ramita Mehta . Because of them, I have raised Rs. 2,35,701. Namita Sud ma'am has helped me a lot with this crowdfunding.”
These funds are going to cover essential expenses like Visa process, Travel Insurance, return Flight tickets, Hotel bookings, Food & Local transportations, Participation, Chess training, Boxing training, Sports kit & equipment. “Every contribution will help me a lot. This isn’t just my dream. It’s about putting Indian chessboxing on the global map.” Madhavi’s message for all. "I also want to thank Sagar Sir and the ChessBase India team for this initiative. I am really grateful to them for considering me."
From a kickboxer who didn’t know chess to becoming a national chessboxing champion, representing India internationally, Madhavi’s journey has been extraordinary. Despite winning many titles, she has remained grounded. She is a perfect combination of humility and confidence.
If you want to support her dream of participating in the ‘Chessboxing May Day’’ event, you can contribute to her crowdfunding campaign.
Bank details
Name :- Saraswat Co Op Bank
А/С No. :- 123200104852419
IFSC Code :- SRCB0000123
Branch :- Barve Nagar, Ghatkopar (W), Mumbai - 400084.
Rs. 2,35,701 raised so far, Rs. 64,300 still needed
Contact number: (+91) 82914 17474
Email ID: Madhavi3417@gmail.com
You can watch Chessboxing May Day live on the official YouTube channel:
|
Sneha Waykar clinches the title in Cultural Olympiad - IFC 6 Chessboxing fight
@ 17/10/2024 by Tina Popli (en) |
|
Winning the ChessBoxing Asian Championships and World Cup - Nongsha Angom
@ 15/07/2023 by Sneha Tiwari (en) |