Indian Women Boxers Optimistic of Winning Medals at CWG 2018

“The new federation has come which is supporting us really well,” said CWG silver medallist Sarita Devi.

Four women boxers are set to represent India at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim

Four women boxers – MC Mary Kom, Sarita Devi, Pinki Rani, Lovlina Borgohain – are set to represent India at the Commonwealth Games, starting 4 April in Gold Coast, Australia.

CWG silver medallist Sarita Devi, who will be competing in the 60 kg category, told ANI, “Training has been going pretty good. Last time, there were some disturbances because of the federation. But now, the new federation has come which is supporting us really well. They have started promoting boxing in the country in both women's and men's category. They have inaugurated Indian Open in India, and even foreign coaches have been called to train the boxers.”

We are getting good support now, and are also training well.  So, I am hopeful to clinch a gold medal this time around.

Sarita Devi, Indian Boxer

Indian Women Boxers at CWG ‘18
45-48 kg: MC Mary Kom
51 kg: Pinki Rani
60 kg: Sarita Devi
69 kg: Lovlina Borgohain

In the women's 51 kg weight category, Pinki Rani will spearhead India's challenge after her dominating run to the gold at the India Open. The boxer said that five-time World champion Mary Kom’s presence itself was a confidence booster for other women.

Having Mary Kom in the team is a confidence booster. Knowing that we’re part of a team that has a five-time world champion. Even though boxing is an individual game, but having Mary Kom in the Indian squad makes a difference.

Pinki Rani, Indian Boxer

After the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) was banned in 2012 for possible manipulation” of its election, Boxing Federation of India was officially recognised by the International Olympic Association (IOA) in November 2017. While the federation’s ban denied the Indian boxers of sufficient exposure of participating in tournament, the new board is supporting both the men and women, said Devi.

“Our aim has always been to prepare ourselves to beat every opponent. They also come with proper training. Winning and losing is a part of the game. We are focused on giving our 100 percent and winning gold. Other countries have started giving tough competition after they started featuring in Olympic Games. Due to the federation ban, neither did we have support nor did we get exposure of participating in the tournaments earlier. But the new federation has been trying hard to raise the standard,” said Devi.