NEW DELHI, Feb 1(TNN) : Women`s boxing is all set to make its Olympic debut this year at the London 2012 Games. For India, the sport is being touted as one of the best bets for another Olympic medal.
Chief Coach Anoop Kumar and Coach D Chander Lal along with other National Coaches are making sure the preparations at the camp are top notch. The Core group that consists of boxers in the three Olympic weight categories boast of veteran players like five time and current World Champion MC Mary Kom (51kg), former world champions L Sarita Devi (60kg) and Jenny RL (75kg) along with a mix of upcoming boxers like Arafura Games gold medallist Pinky Jangra (51kg), Asian Cup bronze medallist Neetu Chahal (60kg) and Arafura Games silver medallist Pooja Rani (75kg). Mary`s most potent weapon inside the ring has been her aggressive offence and the ability to dominate her opponents with it. She is expected to make history once again by adding another feather to her already studded cap.
Another exceptional women boxer, who has an array of International and National accolades to her name, is L Sarita Devi. The four-time Asian Champion has recently shifted to 60 kilogram weight category from 51 kilograms – A move, she says, has suited her body structure and game well. For Sarita too like every other woman pugilist the Olympic qualification is of utmost importance and the 29 year old, like her Manipur comrade is leaving nothing to chance to make sure she makes the cut.
“The World Champion is the big test and we are training very hard for it. But for me the Asian Championships, in March, will be the first major assessment in this weight division and I am quite confident of a good performance.”
