Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Punch and jab for glory

The boxers moved forward and backward; angling and circling meticulously, much to the delight of the motley crowd, says J R SHRIDHARAN

Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar.

DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY Boxers were here to enhance skills

For the 21 young boxers from the port city of Visakhapatnam, it was an exposure trip to get the feel of competitive boxing. They were here for two days at the 32nd all India agricultural and industrial exhibition not only to demonstrate the glove game to the denizens, but also to enhance their competitive skills.

As trainees at Sports Authority of India's (SAI) sports training centre, these boxers moved around the ring in a deft manner exhibiting their footwork as well as power-packed punches and jabs. Says Indian coach S. Venkateswara Rao: "This centre is the brainchild of SAI. In a bid to tap raw talent, SAI allotted boxing to the centre in 2003 and since then, the game is growing leaps and bounds."

Punching techniques

Most of the pugilists belong to the sub-junior and junior categories, below the age group of under-17 and they train four hours a day, mastering the nuances such as speed bag training, punching techniques and various combinations of punching and jabbing. The hard work has paid rich dividends as some of the boxers went on to represent India at the world arena. "Young Kanakadurga represented India in the world championship held at Russia in the 48-kg weight lightfly category. She also won a bronze at the Asian championship held at Taiwan," Rao said.

J. Bhaskar, K. Chinna Rao, P. Nirosha, Sailaja, Kanakalakshmi and Umadevi are some of the young boxers straining their nerves at the centre to achieve brilliance in their chosen game. In fact, the centre at Vizag rejuvenated the boxing activity in North Andhra districts such as Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. "We conduct bouts frequently at Visakhapatnam every month to enable the boxers to get the feel of competitive boxing. Boxers can excel only if they fight against quality opponents. These bouts help boxers assess their strengths and weaknesses," he observed.

Misconception

Rao quelled the misconception among many that boxing was a dangerous sport. "Yes! The element of danger is there but not as many think. In fact, boxing is considered the sixth dangerous game.

In boxing, a boxer can anticipate what is forthcoming and thus plan his or her defence," he asserted.

Eight young boxers from the centre would participate in the junior nationals, scheduled to be held at Goa from March 26.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail