Indian pugilists look forward to the Asian Games

The Indian boxing team is upbeat after its best ever performance in the Commonwealth Games and wants to bank on the momentum to corner glory in the Asian Games next month.

The haul of three gold and four bronze medals this time is better than the achievement of one gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the Melbourne Games. Even though the coaching staff agreed that the tally of golds could have gone up, there is hardly any time left to brood over the past.

“I am leaving tonight and our training starts very shortly,” said chief national coach G.S. Sandhu at a felicitation ceremony by team and kit sponsor Monnet here on Monday. Sandhu, however, expressed satisfaction at Indian boxers's performance in the Commonwealth Games.

The gold medallists — M. Suranjoy Singh (52kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Paramjeet Samota (+91kg) — were honoured with cash awards of Rs. 300,000 each, while the bronze winners — Amandeep Singh (49kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg), Dilbagh Singh (69kg), Vijender Singh (75kg) — were given Rs. 100,000 each.

Every member of the coaching and support staff was also felicitated on the occasion.

Amid celebrations, Samota said he was aware of the task at hand. “It is going to be tougher for me in the Asian Games. We have done our preparations. Now I have to utilise these three weeks to fine tune my speed and movement,” said Samota, an Asian championship bronze medallist.

Amandeep counted on the positives from the Commonwealth Games. “I learnt how to box with boxers who keep his their guard up,” he said.

Manoj spoke of his first major title. “Now, after winning this title, my confidence has grown manifold,” he said. Manoj, who had been out of the limelight for sometime because of a wrist injury, said he hoped to make the Olympics by putting up a good show in the World championships next year.

World and Olympic medallist Vijender Singh is yet to digest his semifinal loss to Englishman Antony Ogogo in the Commonwealth Games. “I wish the Indian Boxing Federation took up the protest more forcefully. This was the first time I saw a boxer winning without landing a scoring punch,” he said.

Vijender, however, seemed hungry for success at the Asiad. “I have an idea about the kind of competition one has to face. I am fully prepared for that,” he said.

Foreign coach B.I. Fernandaz said he was delighted with the Indian boxers's success. He said the Indians should exhibit a good performance in the Asian Games despite the presence of competitors from countries like China, ex-Soviet countries and Korea in Guangzhou.