(Delhi): Indian boxers are all pumped up and devoted to give their best feat as Indian boxing contingent departs for Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on Saturday. Indian ace boxer Vikas Krishan lauded the federation for their support and said he is hopeful of winning a gold medal at the multi sport event.
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“The last time I was out because of an injury. This is my first Commonwealth Games and I really want to perform well. I am hopeful of bagging a gold medal. If we don’t do it now, we will never be able to do it,” Krishan told ANI.
Boxer Lovlina Borgohain who won a medal at India Open is hopeful of winning the gold medal this time. “I fell short of the gold at India Open. I will try my best to get the gold this time,” she told ANI.
Meanwhile, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh also aroused the team’s morale, claiming that the Indian contingent is a good blend of youth and experience.
“We have tried to put boxers first. Over the last one year we have tried to do whatever we can for the boxers. We have training camps running constantly through the year, we have tried to hire the best coaches, we have tried to give them the best possible facilities and the best possible international experience. Our boxers have fought now in more than 30 championships around the world and done so very well. This is a process of building the team for the 2020 Olympics. We will continue to do the very best we can for them. I think it is a strong team, good blend of youth and experience,” Singh said.
A 12 member strong contingent of Indian boxers was given a warm sendoff for the Commonwealth Games, with BFI president Ajay Singh, director general of Sports Authority of India (SAI) Neelam Kapoor, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) treasurer Anandeshwar Pandey, and Commander Rajgopal, Consultant, TOPS expressing confidence of a rich medal haul.
In the women’s division, five-time World Champion MC Mary Kom (48kg) will lead India’s spearhead, 2006 World Champion L Sarita Devi (60kg), Pinky Rani (51kg) and Lovlina Boroghain (69kg) will accompany her.
Olympians like Vikas Krishnan and Manoj Kumar will be leading the Indian line-up in the men’s department. After his courageous performance at the Strandja Memorial tournament, Amit Phangal, has also booked his place in the Indian boxing squad for Commonwealth Games 2018 in men’s 49 kg category. Also, accompanying them will be Hussam Mohammed in the 56-kg category.
World Youth bronze medalist Naman Talwar (91-kg) and the unexpected Gaurav Solanki (52-kg) will also make the cut.
