As the world gets ready to see the sporting forces compete in 18th Asian Games, Indian women boxing coach Raffaele Bergamasco has expressed high aspiration and is assured that star Manipuri boxer Sarjubala Devi would win a gold medal in the multi sport event in Indonesia.
Raffaele Bergamasco says….
“Today is the last day of very strong training. Sarjubala and Pavitra are very good performers. We go to the Asian Games from a very good perspective. I am happy for the girls and the training has been going on very well,” Bergamasco was quoted saying by ANI.
He said that countries like China, Mangolia, Kazakhastan and Uzbekistan will impose a serious challenge and that Asian dominance is strong in boxing. He further said that he has looked at their performances via the videos and declared them as very strong opponents.
India will do well in the Asian Games- Bergamasco
Despite the strong Asian challenge in boxing, Italy born coach Raffaele feels confident of India doing well in the upcoming Asian Games and had high hopes from a young Sarjubala Devi.
Superstitious Sarjubala
Sarjubala who got inspired by Mary Kom and joined boxing in 2005 said that she has got her hair coloured in a desire to win a gold medal in the Pan Asian event. She recently clinched the 51 kg spot in the Asian Games trial to make to the Asian Games.
Sarjubala has been competing in 48 KG category, the same category in which Mary Kom competes. However, Mary sidelined herself from the Asian Games following tough competition in 51 KG category and being fully fit for the upcoming world championships in pursuit to become 6 times world champion.
Talking about her role model and London Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom, Sarjubala said “She has always been very helpful. I got to learn many aspects of boxing from her. She is a motivation to people living from Manipur.”
The Asian Games starts from August 18 to September 2 in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and Palembang.