CHENNAI: How many of us know that boxing, an individual sport, is one of the first five disciplines introduced in the Olympics? Tamil Nadu is one of the top teams in India and produces a number of players every year. Chennai city is said to have good facilities for the sport and boxing is part of school games.
Boxing is considered to be a sport which offers many career opportunities and a sport well supported by the government. Boxing coach Anantha Narayanan proudly says, “Boxing as a martial art is more about fitness than performance. It takes a whole lot of courage to stand inside the ring to perform skills you’ve learnt and that’s where you get the hang of it.”
Talking about the laurels Tamil Nadu players have got, he says, “From school to the national level, Tamil Nadu players win many positions and awards in tournaments.” Boxing is all about pain. How a fighter handles it can be the difference between winning and losing. Level of preparation is as important.
Narayanan, who is in the Guinness Book of World Records, for his fitness, has 16 years of experience as a coach at the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and YMCA. This year, 15 state-level and five national-level players have come out of his stable.
Being the first to win a medal for Madras University in boxing, he says “In India, Haryana and Tamil Nadu are best in boxing. The State government has been supportive for the development of boxing through SDAT.” Narayanan won gold five times and was adjudged best of the university.
Welcoming the spate of Tamil films on the sport, Narayanan adds, “Movies like Irudhi Suttru, Bhooloham and others help develop interest in boxing. This year, SDAT has recorded the highest number of students.” Adding to the fact that boxing has been included in the CBSE syllabus, tournament organiser E Kebiraj says, “Improving the boxing scenario in TN is no more a ‘never’. Monthly camps, friendly matches, inter-club tournaments and talent hunts will definitely boost players and unearth the new talent.”