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Indian boxers gear up to secure more Olympic berths
A pat on the back by International Boxing Association president Ching Kuo Wu has come as a shot in the arm for five Indian boxers who are gearing up for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers semifinals in Astana, Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
A pat on the back by International Boxing Association president Ching Kuo Wu has come as a shot in the arm for five Indian boxers who are gearing up for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers semifinals in Astana, Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
"The AIBA President has congratulated the Indian contingent and praised it’s performance," national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu said.
Of the five in fray, only Vijender Singh (75kg) is assured of a London berth so far as his category has four slots on offer. Shiva Thapa (56kg) and Sumit Sangwan (81kg) need to win their semifinals to qualify, while Manpreet Singh (91kg) and Paramjeet Samota (+91kg) have clinch a gold to make it to the Olympics.
Shiva and Sumit can qualify for London even if they don't win provided their respective opponents go on to clinch gold medals as their categories have three slots each up for grabs.
Shiva will face Japan's Satoshi Simizu while Manpreet will fight it out with Iran's Ali Mazaheri. Sumit will be up against Jordan's Ihab Almatdault in the semifinals.
