Olympic bronze medallist woman boxer M.C. Mary Kom, former World championship bronze medallist Vikas Krishan and seasoned boxer Akhil Kumar have made a comeback to the Indian squad after a long layoff, in the selection trials for the Asian Games.
Vikas, a 69kg gold medallist in the 2010 Asiad, grabbed the 75kg slot in the trials that concluded at the NIS Patiala on Wednesday.
He had been out of action since his controversial pre-quarterfinals loss in the 2012 London Olympics.
It was a huge moment for 33-year-old Akhil, a 2006 Commonwealth Games champion, who returned to the National side after his appearance in the 2011 World championship.
“You need to have the desire. Besides, I got the right kind of people around me. My wife (boxing coach) Poonam and my colleague Mandeep Jangra always boosted my confidence,” Akhil told The Hindu.
Changes
He said he had made changes to his style of training in order to remain fit. “The way I train has changed. Weightlifting coach Amrik Singh and doctor Sanjay Vats helped me in my effort. I must thank chief coach G.S. Sandhu for reposing faith in me. My experience will come in handy in the Asian Games.”
World and Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, who recently bagged the 75kg silver in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Olympian Sumit Sangwan and 2010 Asian Games silver medallist Dinesh Kumar did not participate in the trials due to injuries.
Mary Kom, who was out of action after her podium finish in the London Olympics, avenged her defeat to Pinky Rani Jangra. Pinky had defeated Mary Kom in the Commonwealth Games trials a few months ago.
The squad:
Men: 49kg: L. Devendro Singh; 52kg: Gaurav Bidhuri; 56kg: Shiva Thapa; 60kg: Akhil Kumar; 64kg: Manoj Kumar; 69kg: Mandeep Jangra; 75kg: Vikas Krishan; 81kg: Kuldeep Singh; 91kg: Amritpreet Singh; +91kg: Satish Kumar.
Women: 51kg: M.C. Mary Kom; 60kg: L. Sarita Devi; 75kg: Pooja Rani.
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