CHENNAI: Vijender Singh’s bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was a timely fillip for boxing in India. However, the euphoria has subsided and the champion boxer would skip the World Cup in Russia, slated from December 10 to 14, owing to a back injury. But the Indian camp smacks of ebullience and coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu is optimistic about winning medals.
None would be as determined as bantamweight pugilist Akhil Kumar, who could have braced the Olympic podium but for better guile. Even as his more celebrated peer, Vijender, embraced instant celebrity (walked the ramp, gained four kg and compassed the breadth of the country), Akhil resumed the rigours of the ring promptly after his return from Beijing. A fortnight’s stint with renowned South African physio Heath Matthews at Durban in November, simultaneously competing with South African boxers, has bolstered his morale and ensured that he remains match fit.
Rightly so, Sandhu deems him as India’s lynchpin in Moscow. “He has shrugged off his Olympic disappointment and is looking ever so motivated. Besides, he is a guiding force for youngsters such as Lakra (Anthresh Lalit) and Dinesh (Kumar).
If he sustains the tempo, he can make India proud though his draw would be extremely competitive. That the draw mostly comprises the same set of boxers in the Olympics should gruel him further,” asserted Sandhu.
Equally poised is flyweight boxer Jitender Kumar, who braved 11 stitches in his jaw in the quarterfinal loss to Georgy Balakshin in the Olympics. “He is only 20 and has made rapid strides in the last couple of years. He is technically sound, quick and has loads of determination. With more exposure and experience, he would be India’s spearhead in the next Olympics. A medal in Moscow would be a flight in the right direction,” opined Sandhu.
While Akhil and Jitender are definite medal prospects, AL Lakra (57 kg) and Dinesh Kumar (81) would seek this opportunity to illustrate their mettle and bury the Olympic blip. They couldn’t have ensured their Moscow tickets but for lastminute pullouts in their respective grids.
However, Sandhu warns against discounting them. “Wasn’t Vijender obscure before his medal in Beijing? So you can’t completely rule them out. They are no journeymen. In fact, Lakra was the first Indian to qualify for the Olympics and Dinesh is an extremely talented young boxer from Bhiwani,” pointed out Sandhu.
Though the hype may not scale Olympic pedigree, a couple of medals should further bolster the sport’s popularity in India.