The Indian boxing team on Friday was high on hopes before embarking on its journey to the World championships. The team will first head to Bugeat, France, for a 10-day training camp before flying to Baku, Azerbaijan, to take part in the Worlds, which is also the first Olympic qualification event.
Chief National coach G.S. Sandhu said the ability of the boxers gave him a lot of confidence while going into such a big event.
“In the Chicago World championships (which was the qualification event for the Beijing Olympics), we had earned only one spot. This time, the selection trials were really tough and there were a few surprises. So, we can expect a better result,” he said.
Sandhu was satisfied with the preparation and hoped that his boys would rise up to the challenge. “There will be more than 600 boxers in the World championships. It is going to be tough.”
Thirty-year-old Akhil Kumar (56kg), the senior-most member of the team and a two-time Olympian, justified the air and enthusiasm surrounding the team. “Barring Devendro Singh (49kg), all the boxers in the team have won medals at big events. This is the strongest side I have ever seen,” he said.
Akhil welcomed the trip to France which would provide the boxers a chance to settle down before the World championships, scheduled to be held from September 22-October 10.
Sandhu was more positive about it. “Several teams will train in France. It will be combined training. It will help the boxers overcome their psychological barriers and peak at the right time. Besides, the weather and the food will be similar. So, it will help in acclimatisation too.”
World and Olympic medallist Vijender Singh and Asian Games silver medallist Dinesh Kumar, who recently returned from New York after winning gold medals in the World Police Games, will join the Indian team after getting visas for Azerbaijan.
