Indian women boxers get set for Asian Games and World Cup bouts

Bhopal, Apr 24 (ANI): The Indian women boxers are preparing for the ensuing Asian Games and the World Cup at the national training camp held at Bhopal.

This camp, which commenced on April 15, will continue till May 21.

The Indian Women Boxing Team chief coach, Anup Kumar, said every woman is trained individually in this camp and that the team is going to perform well in both the Asian Games and World Cup.

"We also emphasise on the defence part...defence...punch...which is going on nowadays...the defence which is done as a reaction to an attack...a counter attack which is done, is the best defence, more attention is laid on that. We do first attack as well," Kumar said.

"Nowadays, there is computer scoring, which has changed a lot in scoring. Earlier...in manual scoring, it was easier, but today, if the chin does not go up, the punch is not considered strong enough, which means if the body weight is entirely on the punch, then it will earn a point," he added.

Kumar further said that the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) has chosen a capable team of senior as well as junior players for the camp.

The government of India has suggested an additional foreign coach to add to their experience.

M C Marykom, the four times world champion, said that all boxers at the camp are working hard and that they are much impressed by Kumar's training, and another coach would supplement their skills.

"I think our Indian boxers have performed well. Anup Sir has given us good training and all the national coaches are doing good training with us. So...I mean...it is fine...if Russian coaches come, we will learn some techniques used there. I think we will benefit," said Marykom.

She added that one or two from every country can give a good competition at the championship but China is the toughest competitor as of now.

After the camps in Patiala, Bangalore and Kolkata, the fourth one in Bhopal has witnessed more number of women, since it is centrally located.

Kumar is assisted by eight other coaches in the Bhopal camp. (ANI)