Vijender Singh to lead India's challenge in Astana meet

Patiala: Olympic bronze medllist Vijender Singh will spearhead India's challenge in the Asian Continental Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament to be  be held in at Astana, Kazakhstan from April 5 (Preliminary bouts commence) –April 12 (Finals). Akhil Kumar, meanwhile has missed his chance to make it o the London Olympics. Struggling with injury, Akhil could not take part in the final trials for the last Olympic qualifying tournament, which ended his London dream.

Other members of the team include M Suranjoy (52kg), Shiva Thapa (56 kg), Sumit Sangwan (81 kg), manpreet Singh (91 kg) and Paramjit Samota (+91 kgs) vying for the quota places for the mega event.

The Indian men’s boxing team will leave for Kazakhstan on April 1 so as to acclimatize themselves before the competition starts on April 5. The available quota places for London Olympics in various weight categories at the Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament are: 52 kgs (4 places), 56 kgs (3 places), 75 kgs (4 places), 81 kgs (3 places), 91 kgs (1 place) & +91 kgs (1 place).

The following Selection Committee Members were present for the Trials at Patiala from February 24 – 26: Government Observer M. Venu (Dronacharya Awardee & Arjuna Awardee), Padam Bahadur Mall (Arjuna Awardee), Rajendra Prasad (Arjuna Awardee), Devarajan (Arjuna Awardee), Md Ali Qamar (Arjuna Awardee), Jitender Kumar (Arjuna Awardee), GS Sandhu (Dronacharya Awardee & Chief National Coach), BI Fernandez (Cuban Coach), Dr CK Jerath (Vice President, IABF) & Brig PK Muralidharan Raja (Secretary General, IABF).