Dronacharya awardee C A Kuttappa has taken over as India's chief boxing coach at the ongoing national camp from which star pugilist Vikas Krishan (75kg) was left out following his professional plunge.
The 39-year-old Kuttappa, credited with shaping some of the country's most successful boxers such as Vijender Singh, M Suranjoy Singh and Shiva Thapa among others, took over from veteran coach S R Singh at the beginning of the camp which started December 10. Singh has now retired.
"It's such a huge responsibility but I am trying to do my best. I have a few plans and hopefully, I will be able to execute them," Kuttappa, who was an assistant coach, he said.
The Army man said his elevation was High Performance Director Santiago Nieva's idea.
"He asked me if I was interested. I sought some time because I needed to think it over. I am not most senior is terms of age and that was playing on my mind. I told this to Santiago and he told me I shouldn't be bothered about it," the former National Games gold-medallist from Karnataka said.
His first major assignment would be the second edition of the India Open scheduled in January in Guwahati.
"Earlier it used to be more about pumping up my boys but now I am going to be directly responsible for their performance. So, I know the pressure is going to be huge but I hope I can deliver," he said.
Kuttappa is just one of the two coaches from the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), the reigning national champions, in the camp and the line-up is dominated by coaches from the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB).
As for the boxers in the camp, Vikas, a Commonwealth Games Gold-medallist and Asian Games Bronze-winner this year, is the most notable omission following his decision to sign up with American promoter Bob Arum.