Boxing World Championships: Shiva Thapa only experienced campaigner: Without the World No. 1 Amit Panghal and bronze-medalist from 2019 edition, Manish Kaushik, the Indian contingent is going into the AIBA world championship with a largely fresh-faced squad, up against a top-notch field but nonetheless hopeful of equalling or bettering the two medals secured in the previous edition.
However, Asian medal-winners Deepak Kumar (51kg), Shiva Thapa (63.5kg), and Sanjeet (92kg) form the experienced core of the new-look that flew off to the Serbian capital on October 20.
Boxing World Championships: Amit Panghal, Manish Kaushik-less Indian contingent eyes strong show
While Sanjeet is the reigning Asian champion, Deepak is a former silver-medallist and Shiva is a record five-time podium finisher at the continental showpiece. Of these, Shiva is the only one with prior experience of competing in the world event, having claimed a bronze in the 2015 edition.
The remaining 10 in the squad are newly-crowned national champions, eager to make a mark, which might just be crucial to make up for the lack of experience.
Also Read: World boxing Championships: Indian men’s boxing team leave for Belgrade
The boxers are accompanied by a rejigged support staff led by High-Performance Director Santiago Nieva and newly-appointed head coach Narender Rana with former Commonwealth Games silver-medallist L Devendro Singh among the assistant coaches.
Boxing World Championships: Amit Panghal, Manish Kaushik-less Indian contingent eyes strong show
This would be Nieva’s final assignment with the Indian team after the Boxing Federation of India decided against giving him a long-term extension at the end of the Tokyo Olympics, where none of the male boxers could go past the preliminary rounds.
The preparation for the championship has not been the most ideal as the boxers got just about 10 days to practice in a camp after the national championship.
The showpiece in Belgrade will be competed in the revamped weight categories that the International Boxing Association (AIBA) announced earlier this year.
The revised weight divisions for men, after being increased from 10 to 13, are 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 63.5kg, 67kg, 71kg, 75kg, 80kg, 86kg, 92kg, and +92kg.
Boxing World Championships: Amit Panghal, Manish Kaushik-less Indian contingent eyes strong show
More than 600 boxers from 105 countries are set to fight it out in the tournament where gold-winners will walk away with prize money of USD 100,000.
The silver medallists are to be given USD 50,000, and both bronze-medallists will be awarded USD 25,000 each.
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗥 🔥💪🇮🇳
🇮🇳’s Elite men’s team is all geared up for the @AIBA_Boxing #WorldBoxingChampionships in Belgrade, Serbia 🇷🇸.
📸 Quick glimpses from their training session 👇
All the best, champs!💪#PunchMeinHaiDum #boxing #WorldBoxingChampionship pic.twitter.com/EJqBwYqWGW
— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) October 24, 2021
It will feature AIBA world champions, including Andy Cruz Gomez, Roniel Iglesias, Arlen Lopez, Julio La Cruz, as well as Lazaro Alvarez, all from Cuba.
The AIBA has also decided to introduce commemorative belts and white gloves, instead of the traditional red and blue, during the tournament, calling the move a symbol of “fresh start”in the controversy-marred sport.
Also Read: AIBA says Rio 2016 boxing bouts manipulated, confirms sporting integrity reforms
Boxing World Championships: Amit Panghal, Manish Kaushik-less Indian contingent eyes strong show
Focus will also be on judges and referees during the tournament as AIBA looks to shed the baggage of a tainted past.
India squad: Govind Sahani (48kg), Deepak Kumar (51kg), Akash (54kg), Rohit Mor (57kg), Varinder Singh (60kg), Shiva Thapa (63.5kg), Akash (67kg), Nishant Dev(71kg), Sumit (75kg), Sachin Kumar (80kg), Lakshya (86kg), Sanjeet (92kg) and Narender (+92kg)
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