Over the years, the success stories of Indian boxers have not only earned respect but also attracted athletes from overseas to train and enrich their game in India.
The trend of Indian boxers going abroad to avail state-of-the-art facilities and train with tough sparring partners is a routine affair in the run-up to any important assignment.
Likewise, foreign boxers too train in Indian conditions, avail facilities here and gain some experience here. Currently, Norwegian Madeleine Angelsen has been training with the National campers in Delhi as part of a three week long programme.
A European youth women’s championships bronze medallist in 2016, Madeleine treasures her time in India. “In Norway there is barely any following for boxing. The biggest challenge was I barely got partners to spar and train with.
“My experience of training in Delhi has been fantastic...one major difference is, back home either I train alone or with one coach. Here, there are 40 women boxers with varying style and talent. There are 14 coaches who give inputs to help improve your game,” said Madeleine.
The 20-year-old, who has been selected in the Norwegian National elite team for the upcoming World championships, feels her experience here will be valuable.
High performance director Santiago Nieva said, “It is a great opportunity for us as a federation and a country to open up our facilities as our boxers also get opportunities to spar with a quality international boxer at home.”
Former National chief coach G.S. Sandhu remembers that during his stint boxers from Australia and Singapore had come to India for training.
Satish K. Sarhadi, a Sports Authority of India deputy director who heads the National Boxing Academy in Rohtak, shares his experience of hosting foreign pugilists.
“Boxers from England and Sri Lanka had come here to train. Some Afghan boxers were keen to come but did not get the visa. We have organised several International Boxing Association (AIBA) courses, which were attended by candidates from Iran, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan,” said Sarhadi.
