The quartet of Indian boxers, who landed medals in the just-concluded Asian boxing championship at Amman, Jordan, said their success would help them prepare well for the World championship in Almaty in October.
After the London Olympics last year, the Asian championship provided some high quality competition and the Indian pugilists made the best use of it. “It is good to get a silver medal here after narrowly losing out on a medal in the Olympics.
“I have identified some mistakes, such as landing less number of punches in the last round and my footwork, and I will work upon them.
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“I am eyeing a good finish in the world championship,” said diminutive light flyweight boxer L. Devendro Singh after reaching here from Amman on Wednesday.
Shiva Thapa, who overcame a tough draw to win a gold medal in the bantamweight division, was charged up for the world championship challenge. “I am quite motivated.”
Thapa said the Indians had learnt to be more aggressive under the new (10-must) scoring system at the continental event.
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“It is important to be aggressive and seize initiative. Now it is very hard to come back. Indian boxers, who are normally good counter-punchers, have to work on their endurance and strength.”
Mandeep Jangra, who claimed silver in welterweight, expressed his gratitude to the Indian coaching staff and his mentor, Olympian boxer Akhil Kumar. “It was Akhil bhai who groomed me. He is my role model.”