Tokyo Olympics - Indian boxers all set for big fights, hoping a rich haul of medals

Nine boxers, including seven debutants, will be leading the Indian challenge in Tokyo. And going as per their world rankings and showing in the international arena in the last couple of years, it is almost sure that the Tokyo-bound boxers will easily surpass the country’s previous best performance in the games.

In 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bhiwani’s Vijender Singh became the country’s first boxer to win an Olympic medal. In the very next edition of the games, with women boxing making its Olympic debut, Mary Kom became the first Indian woman boxer to make it to the Olympic podium.

In Rio (2016), the three Indian boxers couldn’t win medal. Vikas Krishan lost to Uzbekistan’s Bektemir Melikuziev in the quarters. The Uzbek boxer eventually won silver. While Monaj Kumar was unlucky and lost the second round to another Uzbekistan boxer Fazliddin Gaibnazarov, who went on to win gold.    

But going as per the stats, in Tokyo, India is likely to win more than two medals and it wouldn’t be surprising if the boxer ends up winning three-four medals.

“Everyone in the team is capable of winning medals. And we have young as well as experienced boxers in the squad. So, as per my calculations our boxers would win three to four medals in Tokyo,” said two-time Olympian Mano
Olympic medal winner Mary Kom (51kg) is in good form and her experience always gives her an edge over her opponent.

The other three women, Simranjit Kaur (60kg), Pooja Rani (75kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), will be making their Olympic debut and are considered as underdogs. They are capable of upsetting the world’s top boxers.

Vikas Krishan (69kg) is the most experienced of the lot. He will be competing in his third Olympics. His stint in the professional circuit gives him an added advantage.

Asian Games gold medalist Amit Phangal (52kg) will be entering the ring as a world number one, which gives a huge psychological boost.

The other debutants Manish Kaushik (63kg), Ashish Kumar (75kg) and Satish Kumar (91kg) are also the strong contenders.