India's chief junior boxing coach G Manoharan feels the Indian boxers must make the most of the momentum given our stellar show at Beijing at the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games
Pune Mirror, September 21
Suhrid Barua
Making it big in Olympics can act as a springboard for a sport to build on it in and produce more champions. The Vijenders, Akhils, Jitenders have made boxers from other countries sit up and take notice of them with their intrepid, doughty style of boxing and clearly changed the face of Indian boxing.
The upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games in the city will be a huge opportunity for our boxers to make the most of this momentum given by our Beijing ‘high’. Though one is not suggesting that Indian boxers will be going hammer and tongs at their opponents, there are enough reasons for Indian junior coach G Manoharan to hope for an eye-catching performance at CYG. “See, the momentum is there after our superlative effort in Beijing. There’s no doubt that our Beijing showing has changed the landscape of Indian boxing. I expect a similar display from our pugilists at CYG,” Manoharan said.
The Indian coach said youngsters want to take up boxing as they see a future in it. “Every youngster wants to take up boxing because they know that if they make their country proud with their performance in the ring, everything will be taken care of. Now, there are a lot of jobs for the boxers and tell me who doesn’t want a fillip like that? It’s all bodes well for the future,” he explained.
Not many know that Manoharan is actually the first ‘Akhil Kumar’ of Indian boxing (first to come close to winning a medal in Olympic boxing event). The bantamweight boxer won his first two rounds convincingly at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and dominated his quarterfinal bout, but was disqualified after he failed to heed the referee’s signal to stop the bout after flooring his opponent with a knockout punch. A semifinal round would have at least fetched him a bronze. "That was a long time back. Let’s leave that aside (Chhodo woh saab),” he says with a shrug.
The upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games in the city will be a huge opportunity for our boxers to make the most of this momentum given by our Beijing ‘high’. Though one is not suggesting that Indian boxers will be going hammer and tongs at their opponents, there are enough reasons for Indian junior coach G Manoharan to hope for an eye-catching performance at CYG. “See, the momentum is there after our superlative effort in Beijing. There’s no doubt that our Beijing showing has changed the landscape of Indian boxing. I expect a similar display from our pugilists at CYG,” Manoharan said.
The Indian coach said youngsters want to take up boxing as they see a future in it. “Every youngster wants to take up boxing because they know that if they make their country proud with their performance in the ring, everything will be taken care of. Now, there are a lot of jobs for the boxers and tell me who doesn’t want a fillip like that? It’s all bodes well for the future,” he explained.
Not many know that Manoharan is actually the first ‘Akhil Kumar’ of Indian boxing (first to come close to winning a medal in Olympic boxing event). The bantamweight boxer won his first two rounds convincingly at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and dominated his quarterfinal bout, but was disqualified after he failed to heed the referee’s signal to stop the bout after flooring his opponent with a knockout punch. A semifinal round would have at least fetched him a bronze. "That was a long time back. Let’s leave that aside (Chhodo woh saab),” he says with a shrug.
Like he used to box in his playing days, Manoharan was willing to stick his neck out when it comes to predicting medals at CYG. “We will field eight boxers. My boxers are in great shape and if everything goes according to plan, I am confident of winning at least six gold medals in the event,” he oozed confidence.
Talking of individuals, he feels that Nanao Singh is India’s best bet for a medal. “He’s looking good in training and his recent performances have been impressive. I’m counting on him to come up with a big effort at CYG,” he added.
He perceives boxers from England, Australia and from the African countries as India’s biggest threat. “African countries like South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria pose a huge threat. Pugilists from England and Australia are equally formidable. So we have to be on our guard,” he said.
Talking of individuals, he is counting on K Nanao Singh and V Santosh to make a big impact in the mega event. “All my boxers are capable of making a podium finish but my biggest hopes are rested on K Nanao Singh and V Santosh. They have matured a lot and know how to make it count when it matters,” he added.
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