Saturday, October 11, 2008

All Geared Up


Six boxers - T Nanao Singh, V Durga Rao, Vikas Yadav, Neeraj Goyat, V Santosh and Satender from city's Army Sports Institute (ASI) are lending final touches to their preparations for the CYG. Here's a close look at them.
Suhrid Barua, Pune Mirror, October 8, 2008
T Nanao Singh (48-kg)
Age: 17
Birthplace: Imphal
Punching Highs
Gold, 2005 Cuban National GamesSilver, 2007 Senior Commonwealth Boxing Championships
Gold, 2008 National Junior Boxing Championships
Gold, 2007 National Junior Boxing Championships
The southpaw from Manipur is known for his nifty footwork and supple reflexes. But the talented lad, who joined the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in 2004, believes in counter-attacks and combination punches to unsettle an opponent. Though he is short-statured, Nanao makes up for the height disadvantage with a steady overall game. Shouldn't be a surprise if he pulls off a podium finish at CYG. Big things are expected from him in the coming years.
V Durga Rao (54 kg)
Age: 17
Birthplace: Vishakapatnam
Punching Highs
Bronze, 2008 Russian International Boxing Championship
Gold, 2008 National Sub-junior Championship
Gold, 2007 National Sub-junior Championship
Quarterfinalist, 2007 World Sub-Junior Boxing Championship
Quarterfinalist, 2008 World Sub-Junior Championship
The swarthy-skinned boxer models himself on Mike Tyson. He first joined the Mumbai Engineer Group's Boys Sports School, Bangalore centre, in 2003 before being part of the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in 2004. Son of a meat shop owner, Durga has solid defence to fall back on when he is at the receiving end of his opponents. His mental preparation before a bout is exemplary and he is somebody who boxes from the mind. A dark horse for a medal at CYG.
Vikas Yadav: (57kg)
Age: 16
Birthplace: Bhiwani
Punching Highs
Gold, 2007 World Cadet Boxing Championship
Gold, 2008 Children of Asia Games
This baby-faced boxer, who joined the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in 2005, was an unknown commodity until last year when he catapulted himself into national attention, winning the World Cadet crown. A storehouse of talent, Vikas's participation in CYG was unexpected as Roshan Singh was widely tipped to make the cut. He likes to mix aggression and defence to the hilt, but has to guard himself against getting rattled when he is pushed to a corner.
Niraj Goyat (60 kg)
Age: 17
Birthplace: Chandigarh
Punching Highs
Gold, 2008 Nationl Junior Championships; also emerged as the most promising boxer of the meet
A relatively unknown name from the Army Sports Institute's boxing staple, Neeraj joined ASI in 2005. The upcoming CYG will be his first international exposure. A boxer with plenty room for improvement, Neeraj has strong willpower and it was this trait that helped him to outbox the likes of M Karthick and Children of Asia Games gold medallist Anil Kumar for a berth in the CYG team. He banks a lot on uppercuts and left hooks to earn points.
B Santosh (60 kg)
Age: 18
Birthplace: Vishakapatnam
Punching Highs
2008 National Sub-junior Championship2007 National Sub-junior Championship2006 National Sub-junior Championship Like V Durga Rao, V Santosh joined MEG's Boys Sports School, Bangalore centre in 2003 before being part of the Army Sports Institute in 2004. Santosh relies a lot on right hooks and straight punches to gain most of his points but his physical fitness is little susceptible. According to his coaches, Santosh is bandied about as a medal prospect for 2010 C'wealth and Asian Games.
Satyender 75 kg
Age: 18
Birthplace: Bhiwani
Punching Highs
Gold 2008 National Junior Boxing Championships
Gold 2007 National Junior Boxing Championships
Gold 2007 YMCA Boxing Championship
He is the second southpaw after T Nanao Singh in the ASI's boxing brigade. Satyender joined the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in 2005 and is currently serving as a Havildar in the Artillery Training Centre in Hyderabad. Satyender not only has a robust defence but also scores a lot from his straight punches.

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