Indian boxing continues to scale new heights. India's reputation as an emerging power in the world of boxing just got a boost with the biggest-ever haul of 10 medals which saw them claim the top rank and bag the 2013 Invitational FXTM International limassol Boxing Cup in limassol, Cyprus.
This is the first time that Indian boxers have won a tournament on the European circuit. Madan lal (52kg), V Durga Rao (56kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg) and Praveen Kumar (+91kg) won gold while Manoj Kumar (64kg), Dinesh Kumar (91kg) and Sukhdeep Singh (75kg) had to be satisfied with silver medals. Anil Kumar (60kg), Jagroop Singh (81kg) and l Devendro Singh (49kg) had crashed out in the semifinals and ended up with a bronze each.
There was good news elsewhere as well. Indian pugilists did well in a tournament in Russia, winning two silver and three bronze medals.
Nothing it seems, could affect the morale of Indian boxers. Even the ban on the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) and the resultant effect on administration, the drug scandal involving Olympic medalist Vijender Singh and the long lay-off after the london Olympics have not dented their effectiveness.
With the Asian Championships coming up next month and the World Championships in September, the Indian pugilists seem to have hit form at the right time.
"They did very good because winning a European competition is very difficult. The level of competition in Russia was even higher than Cyprus. This will encourage the Indian boys to continue their hard work. Now we are confident that our boys will do well in the World Championships," Indian coach Blas Iglesias Fernandez told The Pioneer.
"We have got very good junior boxers who are now doing very well in the senior level also. We have got a very good system in place. You go from sub-junior national team to junior national team and then from there you graduate to the senior national team, he added.
Since the IABF was banned by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), the Indian boxers were not allowed to play under the Indian flag and had to participate under the aegis of the AIBA. Fernandes however, asserted that the ban did not affect his boxers in any way.
"We have faced no problems because of the ban. We are preparing well for competitions. Our boxers are doing well. So we have faced no problems so far,” he said.
But despite all the euphoria, the road ahead is going to be tough. The International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) has brought in several changes to the rules which will see boxers fight without protective headgear under a new system of scoring akin to professional boxing. Since bouts at the Asian and World Championships will be held according to the new rules, it remains to be seen whether Indian pugilists can adapt to the changes and extend their run of good results.
But Fernandes is not worried. The veteran Cuban coach is confident that the Indians will take the changes in their stride.
"The new rules will take effect from June. We are preparing ourselves for the rule changes. The rules are same for everybody. Yes, there are increased chances of injury, but that is same for everyone. Indian boxers are capable of doing well in the new system," he asserted.
The new rules have made amateur boxing quite similar to the professional game and Fernandes felt that superior financial rewards could tempt Indian boxers to turn pro.
"With the new rules, now amateur boxing is also becoming similar to professional boxing. So if the AIBA decides to stick with these rules in the long term, it will not be a surprise if several Indian boxers do decide to take a shot at professional boxing," he said. "There is a lot of money in professional boxing and if Indians manage to do well, then it will increase the popularity of the sport in the country."
"But there is nothing like representing the country and winning a medal at the Olympics," he added.
The veteran coach however, urged the AIBA and IABF to sort out their act, pointing out that a long term ban will have a detrimental effect on Indian boxing. "Until now, we have faced no difficulties. But if this ban continues next year as well, then our performances could be affected.”