Indian boxers hope to overcome UK visa delay odds ahead of World championships

Even as the World championships-bound Indian boxers’ preparations have been impacted by a delay in the issuance of UK visas for a camp in Sheffield, the coaches are keen to make the most of the time left.

Several countries, including Uzbekistan, USA, Ireland and Poland, have begun their final training for the first-ever World championships in Liverpool, set to begin on September 4, under the banner of the new international federation World Boxing.

Only four women boxers, Minakshi, Nikhat Zareen, Pooja Rani and Nupur Sheoran, out of 10, have reached the camp in Sheffield.

Women’s head coach D. Chandralal, who is part of the electoral college from Kerala for the Boxing Federation of India elections scheduled on Thursday, is in India.

“I‘m monitoring the training from here. I want our girls to spar with boxers of heavier or lower weights so that they don’t give away clues to the opponents too early. We’re collecting videos of prospective opponents for our homework,” said Chandralal.

While men’s head coach Dharmendra Yadav is in the UK, none of the 10 male boxers have been able to board the flight.

Nevertheless, the team is looking to switch to competition mode. “Now the volume will go down and the intensity will increase. The boxers must learn how to deal with rough rivals,” said the men’s coach.

Even though Indian boxers tasted success in the World Cups in Brazil and Kazakhstan, the World championships will pose a tougher challenge.

The squad: Men: Jadumani Singh (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), Abinash Jamwal (65kg), Hitesh (70kg), Sumit Kundu (75kg), Lakshya Chahar (80kg), Jugnoo (85kg), Harsh Choudhary (90kg), Narender Berwal (90+kg).

Women: Minakshi (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (54kg), Jaismine Lamboriya (57kg), Sanju (60kg), Neeraj Phogat (65kg), Sanamacha Chanu (70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Pooja Rani (80kg) and Nupur Sheoran (80+kg).