Indian Boxers Ready For Asian Meet

By Nitin Sharma

New Delhi, Jan 30 : When Nanao Singh lands in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Saturday morning, the only thing on the mind of the 19-year-old from Manipur will be to better his silver-winning feat at the Asian Boxing Championship last year.

Nanao had lost 9-8 to Pongprayoon Keaw of Thailand in the final bout there. He’ll get a chance to better that in the Champion of Champions event, which will see the participation of the top four Asian boxers in each category.

“At the Asian championship, I lost out by a point and I am looking to avenge that loss. Countries like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia will send their best boxers to this tournament,” said Nanao.

With only Asia’s top four boxers forming each weight category, the format will be of a direct semi-final. Each winner will get $3,000, apart from adding him ranking points for the World Series of Boxing.

Apart from Nanao (48 kg), the Indian team will have Beijing Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh (75 kg), Akhil Kumar (57 kg) and Dinesh Kumar (81 kg).

“I have not taken part in an international championship after I injured my wrist, so this is a big platform. The format is not too hectic either. This will give me a chance to reach my peak before the Commonwealth Boxing Championship,” said Akhil, who has been away since the world championship in September last year.

It is also the first time Vijender is taking part in an international event after his bronze at the worlds.