Top Indian boxers head to Cuba for Olympics’ preparation
May 22nd, 2011 - 7:24 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Twelve top Indian boxers are set to leave for a training-cum-competition tour of Cuba as part of their preparation for the 2012 London Olympics.
Apart from the three-week training in the traditionally strong boxing nation, the boxers will also take part in the 41st edition of ‘Giraldo Cordova Cardin’ in Havana May 24-June 8. Four coaches, including chief coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu and Cuban expert BI Fernandez, will be part of the team.
The tournament will also help the pugilists prepare for the World Championships in September which also serves as the first qualifying event for the London Olympics. The Indian team returned with eight silver and three bronze medals last year.
Sandhu believes training in Cuba will be a great learning experience for the boxers.
“Cuba is going to be a tough tour, but training there has always been very beneficial for our boys. Part of the credit for Indian boxers doing well at the international arena goes to these training trips there, said Sandhu.
Fernandez, who has been with the Indian team for almost 15 years now, considers this training important for the bigger tournaments ahead.
“It will be a good exposure for our boys. The competition is going to be very tough and facing stronger opponents always improves one’s game. One can take a lot from this experience.”
Team for training-cum-competition:
Nanao Singh (49kg)
Amandeep Singh (49kg)
Suranjoy Singh (52kg)
Santosh Harijan (52kg)
Shiva Thapa (56kg)
Vikas Krishnan (60kg)
Manoj Kumar (64kg)
Balwinder Beniwal (69kg)
Kuldeep Singh (75kg)
Dinesh Kumar (81kg)
Manpreet Singh (91kg)
Paramjeet Samota (+91kg)
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Tags: 2012 london olympics, 24 june, amandeep singh, bronze medals, cardin, chief coach, dinesh kumar, experience team, game one, harijan, international arena, kuldeep singh, manoj kumar, manpreet singh, pugilists, santosh, singh sandhu, thapa, vikas, world championships