Indian boxers prepare for Beijing Olympics qualifier

Patiala, Mar 6 (UNI) Pepped up by Akhil Kumar's superlative performance in the Asian Olympic qualifying Boxing Championship in Thailand this January, the mood in the ongoing national boxing camp here at the NIS is upbeat in view of the last Olympic qualifying tournament in Khazakistan slated for March 15 to 24.

A L Lakra, the first Indian pugilist to qualify for Beijing Olympics by virtue of his outstanding performance in the World Boxing Championship in Chicago last November, set the tone for compatriot boxers to give their best in international competitions.

The national boxing coach, Gurbax Singh Sandhu, who will accompany the Indian boxing contingent to Khazakistan sounded pretty optimistic when he told UNI that he was very hopeful that a couple of boxers are likely to qualify for Beijing Olympics from amongst the following boxers, Sanjay Kotle (48 kg), Jitender (51 kg.), K Toe Singh (60 kg), Vijendra (75 kg) and Dinesh (81 kg).

"The boxing expert from Cuba, B I Fernandez, who is in India for the last few years, and G S Sandhu are working in unison round-the-clock with the boxers in the camp and there is no reason why our boxers will not qualify in Khazakistan for Beijing Games," he said.

Meanwhile, a four-member boxing team, accompanied by an official, arrived here from Mauritius to train with the Indian national boxers in preparation of the Olympic qualifying boxing championship to be held in Africa this month-end.

UNI XC PS JS1631