India’s boxers are set for a new challenge after making a mark at Beijing Olympic Games.
Indian boxers not only won a medal, but also the admiration of the world’s top boxing nations at the Olympic Games.
Now the heroes of Beijing are headed to Moscow for the World Cup.
The boxers have been training in New Delhi and when national coach Gurbux Singh Sandhu is around, there is no respite for the squad.
Sandhu knows that after a good show at the Olympics, everyone will be keenly following the action in the ring.
“That has given a lot of boost and now added to our responsibilities and pressure on us. I think boys will have to do well and they will do it,” says Sandhu.
It’s been nearly four months since the boxers boys returned from Olympics but they know, that their target, just like the passing months, will keep changing.
The team’s focus now is only on the World Cup that begins on the December 5 in Moscow.
“We are concentrating on the world cup and we will try our best and give our best performance,” light heavy weight pugilist Dinesh Kumar says.
The four-member Indian team has all familiar faces and Akhil Kumar is the inspiration for most of the squad.
His exploits in Beijing have made him the boxer to watch out for and he will be desperate to succeed after falling desperately short of a medal at Olympic Games.
“I want people to have some expectations from me as I want to fulfil them. God must also help as I am working hard and I am confident,” adds Akhil Kumar.
Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Kumar isn’t a part of the squad. He is said to have an injury but Vijender is also busy with other commitments.
Their exploits in the ring captured the imagination of a nation at the Olympics, even rivalling cricket at one point. It’s now up to Sandhu and his boys to perform in the face of intense scrutiny and show that the Olympics were not a fluke.
Beijing quarter-finalists Akhil and Jitender Kumar along with AL Lakra and Dinesh leave on Tuesday night for the four-day Boxing World Cup in Moscow, Russia.
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