After sweating it out in training for over a year, Indian boxers are confident of a good showing in the 21st edition of Commonwealth Games and in the process are hopeful of winning medals for the country.
"We are sending a strong contingent of 12 boxers to the Commonwealth Games and each one stand a chance of winning a medal. I think this has to be one of the best prepared boxing contingents that India has ever sent at an International event," Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh said.
A well-prepared Indian boxing team will depart for the Commonwealth Games on Sunday with an aim to improve on the four silver medals and a bronze which they won at Glasgow Games in 2014.
The 12-member team, comprising eight men and four women is leaving early to undergo a week-long acclimatization camp at the Australian Institute of Sports in Canberra that will help them to get used to the conditions before the Gold Coast Games start from April 4.
Speaking about the preparations of boxers, Ajay Singh said, "In the last one year there has been tremendous amount of training and experience that our boxers have got. We participated in more than 30 international championships and have got extremely wonderful results. The boxers have worked so incredibly hard over the year and I am positive that they will underline their class and make the podium."
leading India's charge in the men's division will be Manoj Kumar (69kg) and Vikas Krishnan (75kg), alongside the likes of Manish Kaushik (60kg), Satish Kumar (+91kg), Naman Talwar (91kg), Gaurav Solanki (52kg), Hussam Mohammed (56kg) and Amit Phangal (46-49kg).
While five-time World Champion and Olympic medallist MC Mary Kom (48kg) will spearhead the women's charge at the famous Oxenford Studios in Gold Coast, alongside 2006 World Champion l Sarita Devi (60kg), giant-killing Pinky Rani (51kg) and young lovlina Boroghain (69kg).
2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Gold medalist Manoj Kumar, who will be contesting in 69kg category said, "We can hope for best results. Boxing has really improved and our achievements have increased after the change we witnessed over a year. Our preparations are very well and we can expect this year, India will bring out its best performance."
2006 World Champion and 2014 CWG silver medalist l Sarita Devi said, "We are filled with confidence and are sure of doing well in the Games. Things have changed in the past year which turned to be so fruitful."
The women's categories were introduced only in 2014 and India promptly won a silver and a bronze medal apiece in that edition.