GUWAHATI: There are star boxers, upcoming talents and top officials at the recently-concluded 1st Elite Men’s National Boxing Championship here. Among the who’s who of Indian boxing, former Asian Championship gold medallist M Suranjoy Singh is quietly seated in one corner, closely examining young boxers. He is here on a mission, to scout fresh talent.
It was just last year when Suranjoy took the call to take up full-time coaching, after his knee gave in. Head coach of Indian Navy, he is determined to pick the best and pass on what he has learned as a boxer. “I’m here to keep a close eye on young boxers. If we feel boxers are good enough, we’ll pick them. In fact, we’ve already shortlisted a few, but if we pick them, they’ll have to attend trials. We’re looking at the long term, to make champion boxers,” he said.
Talking about champions, the Manipuri was no less during his prime. Nicknamed Chhota Tyson for his explosive style, he was unstoppable between 2009 and 2010, winning seven back-to-back international gold medals, including a memorable gold at the Asian Championship.
But a career that showed promise could never quite take off, after injuries slowed him down. Despite abundant talent, his biggest pain is missing out at the Olympics. “I was young and inexperienced during the 2004 Olympics, and missed out. And in 2012, I had injury issues and could not quite live up to the challenge. If one can qualify for the Olympics, anything can happen. It’s sad I couldn’t quite make it,” he noted.
The 30-year-old’s face lit up when recalling the first time he got the opportunity to fight for the country. “In 2002, I was picked for the World Cadet Boxing Championship in Hungary. When we were handed the India tracksuit, I had a smile on my face. I’d been waiting for that moment, and it had come true,” he reminisced.
As coach, the Arjuna awardee is motivated to make current boxers go further than him. “I want young boxers to achieve more than us. If I couldn’t do it, I hope youngsters can do so.”
And he has already grasped finer nuances of the art. “I want my students to enjoy the sport. I don’t want to impose unnecessary rules and regulations. And training should be interesting and fun. Everyone has their own coaching style, but I believe young minds should be given the opportunity to express themselves, and that’s only possible if we can have an enjoyable environment.”
After hitting the 30s, fellow boxer Vijender Singh is tasting success on the professional circuit. But as the saying goes, Suranjoy’s loss is perhaps a gain for some 22 youngsters, who are training under his watchful eyes in Mumbai.
anmol@newindianexpress.com