In terms of improvement, boxing offered the best deal for India in the Guangzhou Asian Games. The haul of seven medals (two gold, three silver and two bronze), the second best tally after the 1986 Seoul Games where the country bagged nine medals (four silver and five bronze), in the South Chinese city reflects the ever-growing stature of the sport.
“Our boxers have been performing well — be it the Asiad or any other major event. We are now delivering top level performances,” Vijender Singh, the 75kg gold medallist, said shortly after the pugilists landed from Guangzhou late on Sunday night.
The reception was warm and the mood was celebratory as fans and officials of the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) made best efforts to give the medallists a befitting welcome.
“I never expected this kind of success,” said B.I. Fernandez, the Cuban coach associated with Indian boxing for more than a decade.
Obviously, he was referring to the stiff competition one gets to see at the Games every four years. India's lone gold medal, which had come after a gap of 15 years, apart from the two silver and four bronze in the Asian championship last year, provide some insight about the current feat. “Asian Games will be much tougher than Asian championship,” chief coach G.S. Sandhu had sounded cautious before boarding the flight to Guangzhou.
Scope for improvement
Fernandez, however, felt that there was scope for improvement. He was sad about Suranjoy Singh, who was considered the best bet for the country but settled for a bronze. “He was up against a Chinese, so their people rooted for the home boxer and spurred him to do well,” said Fernandez.
Vijender ranked the title win as one of the high points in his career. “This is a big achievement. We have won gold medals after Dingko Singh's win in 1998. So, I am happy to be among the select few.” He will take a three-week break to nurse a hand injury.
A star in the making, Vikas Krishan, was encouraged by his 60kg gold medal and aimed at bigger goals. “Now I am aiming for the Olympics. I believe, we can win two-three medals there,” said the reigning World youth champion.
Vikas' father, Krishan Kumar, was overwhelmed. “Everybody in our locality is congratulating us. I am also getting a lot of compliments in my office,” said Kumar, employed with the Haryana electricity board.
Dinesh Kumar was delighted that he could overcome his disappointment in the Commonwealth Games by earning a silver. “It is a big relief for me,” said the 81kg pugilist.
Manpreet Singh, the 91kg silver medallist, learnt a few lessons from the Asiad. “Open-guard boxing is outdated today. One has to box with both the guards up and rely on counter-punches. Hopefully, this lesson will make me a better boxer,” he said.
Chhote Lal Yadav (56kg) was a talented boxer who missed out on a medal. “I was not able to perform the level that I used to do during training sessions. But Fernandez Sir boosted my confidence by saying I had great skills and could do better in future,” said the 21-year-old.
For India. World champion M.C. Mary Kom it was not easy considering the fact that she had to fight in a higher weight category. Her husband Onler Kom, who waited patiently (with his tiny twin boys) for Mary to arrive, was confident about her ability to fight back and conquer the world.
