New Delhi: After a stupendous performance at the AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying Event in Astana, Kazakhstan – where India bagged three spots for the London Olympics along with two gold medals and three bronze medals, the Indian men’s boxing team will very soon head back to the landlocked country for a 15 day ‘training cum competition’ tour. A week long training camp with the host nation will be followed by the 3rd International “Republic of Kazakhstan President’s Cup. The tournament which is scheduled to be held 1st May – 6th May 2012 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is expected to have participation from around 15 - 16 countries, with quite a few Olympic qualified boxers in the fray.
With the aim to provide the selected boxers more exposure and good match practice before the Olympics, the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation decided to field a team for this event. The level of competition, both in training and the tournament is expected to be fierce and experts believe that this tour will greatly benefit the Indian contingent.
PK Muralidharan Raja, Secretary General IABF is of the opinion that this training camp will be instrumental considering its proximity to the 2012 Olympics. He said, “This tour is part of the final phase of our preparation for London Games and it is expected to help the boxers maintain their rhythm and keep match fit. All the international camps and competitions that we partake in, in the coming two to three months will play a vital role in determining the kind of results we can expect in London”. Talking about the importance of international tours he added, “These international camps and tours have been very significant in the professional development of Indian boxers. Practicing with international boxers is a big value addition for any boxer. You get a chance to rub shoulders with some big names from the global arena and a good performance cultivates a great deal of confidence in one’s abilities”.
Chief National Coach GS Sandhu concurs with Raja’s view and reckons international sparring has always been big learning experience for the Indian boxers. In fact he credits a good deal of success of the Indian boxers to the exposures they have got over
the year through these kinds of tours. Talking about this one in particular he stated, “There will be joint trainings sessions and sparring bouts with the host country which will be followed by an intense tournament that is expected to see some good boxing nations and also some Olympic qualified boxer. Our boys might encounter some probable opponents at London and therefore will be able to size them up close, before the mega event. Overall it is going to be a good experience”.
Indian boxings’ emerging star Vikas Krishan (69kg), who bagged a bronze medal at the AIBA World championship along with an Olympic quota, will spear head the Indian attack in Almaty. The 2010 Asian Games gold medallist said that the tournament would be a good preparatory event. “The best way to prepare is through competition and such training camps with international boxers. We will also get a change to meet more Olympic qualified athletes and that will be an added advantage there”, expressed the Olympic bound boxer. Vikas has had a good run after the World Championships last year. The 20 year old participated in the London Boxing International Invitational tournament – which was held in November last year at the London Olympic boxing venue – where he won the silver medal and this year at the 43rd Czech Grand Prix he bagged a bronze medal.
The young guns of Indian boxing Shiva Thapa (56kg) and Sumit Sangwan (81kg), created a flutter at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers by qualifying for the London Olympiad in grand fashion. The two teenagers will also be seen in action in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Thapa, who became the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympics, is now focused on his objectives and preparing well in order to make an impact at the biggest sporting extravaganza in the world.
“My preparation is what I am now focused on and this tour and the ones after that will help me ready myself for the big stage,” said Thapa.
The squad:
Shiva Thapa (56kg), L Devendro Singh (49kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Sumit Sangwan (81kg), Vikash Krishan (69kg), Vijender Singh (75kg).
By Indian Sports News Network
