Indian Boxers

Chandigarh, Nov 4: Achievement of Vijendra Kumar’s feat in Beijing Olympics 2008 of bronze medal has boosted the other boxers in the nation since then and they have been pretty better after that confidence raiser. They have been excelled in World Championship last year, age group international outings as well as in last Commonwealth Games. The improvement in medal’s tally has been significant. In this year’s Commonwealth Games, there were total of 10 member squad participated from which they claimed seven medals, out of which three were gold, which showed tremendous improvement from previous Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where they clinched five medals from which only one was gold. But the true test will be in this year’s Asian Games.

“The talent and class shown in Asian Games will only tell where they are exactly positioned. The level of Commonwealth Games was pretty enough but the test in Asian Games will be much harder and tougher that’s for sure. We certainly can improve the medal of two bronze medals in previous Asian Games but to achieve the same tally of medals as of Commonwealth Games would be much difficult.” said national coach GS Sandhu. ‘In last Beijing Olympics the Commonwealth countries had won seven medals in total while the Asian teams had bagged 13 of them which clearly indicate the toughness level of competition in the continent. If we succeed in clinching 4-5 medals then certainly it will be an extraordinary performance from the boys’ added Sandhu.

Indian players had only four weeks of time after the Commonwealth Games finished to train, and also in the same tenure they had to skip few training sessions due to in honour of their achievement in Commonwealth Games which had many ceremonies held up for them. “We had the less time to train for Asian Games. But also we cannot make them to avoid these all ceremonies after all this moments comes very rare times in their career and people get a chance to honour them in this period only. But whatever time we have got, it has been utilised effectively and hope the boys will give up their best skills in upcoming tournament” said the coach.

Vijender who was very unfortunate to lose the controversial semi finals at the Commonwealth Games is really looking ahead to make up for the loss. “I was very certain about winning gold in commonwealth but lost on penalties. The Asian Games is an enormous opportunity for me to win gold which I missed in Commonwealth.” said the Olympic medallist Vijender Kumar. As for Amandeep Singh, it will be altogether new field of 49 Kg weight category. The duo Beijing Olympics medallist in their weight category has moved to upper divisions.

Tags: Asian Games, Boxing, Chandigarh, GS Sandhu, IBF, Indian Boxers, Indian Boxing Federation, Indian Sports, Sports, Sports India, Vijendra Kumar, World Championship