Spare those functions and spar now: Former boxer Vijender Singh

Vijender Singh

Beijing Olympics 2008 bronze medal-winning boxer Vijender Singh, 40, has hailed the Indian boxing contingent's 10-medal haul (seven gold and three silver) at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but not without sounding a warning about the path ahead.

"In our country, we have this tendency to indulge in over-the-top celebrations through felicitation functions which can go on for not just a few days, but weeks on end. With the Asian Games a little over a month away [from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan], I believe these events are a waste of time for our boxers. Every day wasted at such functions will mean a day lesser spent in the gym. Currently, nothing can be more important for our athletes than training. I hope our boxers realise this and avoid these felicitations and instead hit the gym as soon as possible for their workouts and sparring sessions to prepare for Japan," Vijender told mid-day over the phone from New Delhi, going on to praise the pugilists in the same breath. "I'm very proud of what our boxers have achieved in Glasgow. Winning 10 medals, including seven gold, in a single CWG is no mean feat. This shows that our boys and girls have worked very hard," added Vijender, a three-time CWG medallist and Asian Games gold medal-winner.

India's CWG medal-winning boxers with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya (seventh from left) and BFI President Ajay Singh (fifth from right) during an event in New Delhi recently. Pic/BFI

The former World No. 1 Middleweight boxer also warned that the upcoming continental competition will be a lot tougher than the CWG challenge. "While only a few of our boxers faced tough bouts at the Glasgow CWG, the Asian Games will be a totally different cup of tea with boxers from China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Japan, etc. stepping into the ring. Only relentless practice will ensure a good performance at the Asian Games, which is why I'm stressing on the importance of training right now. Celebratory events can be held in a much bigger way when our boxers return from Japan with even more medals," concluded Vijender.

[popcorn number="5" desc="No. of boxing medals for India at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou - one silver and four bronze" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="11" desc="No. of boxers in India's 2026 Asian Games contingent - five women and six men" class="Default"]