Interviews

Gearing up for future challenges

Post-Olympics, the media whirlwind around the Indian pugilists has not settled down completely yet. Handling the attention like pros, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar talked articulately about the feasible prospects of boxing and other musings.

Here are certain excerpts:

Akhil Kumar

On training after the Olympics

We are training in morning and evening. But socializing by attending public events is also important since a change is essential. It provides a good break from training.

On transformation in Indian boxing

There is not enough change yet, not as much as we thought there would be. But slowly and steadily there will be more changes. The sport is getting popular. Participation from ground level will give the popularity a boost. People will get to see that there's both name and substance in the sport. Boxing will certainly grow.

His learning from Beijing Olympics

Experience is the biggest teacher. A lot of lessons have been learnt from these Olympics which will certainly influence my game in future.

On physiotherapist Heath Matthews

Even after these Olympics I will keep discussing stuff with Heath Matthews (I know him - thanks to MCT).Heath has been like a mother, a friend, a brother...words simply fall short for describing his contribution. He is an amazing man.

On Mittal Champions Trust

MCT has taken care of me. I have participated in Beijing Olympics because of them or else there was no chance.

Boxing wisecrack

In many other sports, players toil by shedding their sweat. But in boxing we have to give our blood as well as sweat.

On his prep-talk

When I go for a match irrespective of winning or losing I always tell myself that I am playing for India. I don't have any fear. I have a strong head and a tough heart which are prerequisites for a boxer.

His style

I try to accommodate every style and I try to enjoy my game. I play in an attacking as well as defensive mode. They say that, if you do things according to the circumstances they will work for you. Similarly, if you use the tactics effectively they will work.

Countering criticism

When you lose, people will say anything. I see a lot of movies and I remember this particular dialogue which is apt to this situation, 'when people say things against you it means that you are progressing in life'.

Jitender Kumar

"The desire to win is still burning inside me, and I want to fulfill in the coming years."

On his maiden Olympics appearance

It was indeed a good experience. Everybody performed well. Akhil defeated world No.1 and no. 3. Vijender too performed amazingly. Their wins motivated me too and I got to learn a lot. Even my performance was fine. Certainly, the Indian boxers bettered their performances as compared to the last Olympics.

It was only after the gold medal at the Chemistry Cup this summer that I got the confidence to perform at the Olympics.

His valiant fight in the quarters despite several stitches on his chin

Akhil and everyone had wished that I will break the medal drought of Indian boxers and advance to the semis. We were scared if the stitches get undone in the initial rounds I will not get to play. It was tough playing with the stitches but still I tried my best though I could not get a medal.

The desire to win is still burning inside me, and I want to fulfill it in the coming years.

On future preparations

We have year-long national camps. We have not thought of exact preparations for the London Olympics yet and are concentrating on our training as of now. Our immediate target will be to win laurels in World Championship next year. Accordingly, we will plan our schedule.

On off-season training

Since fitness is of supreme importance we concentrate on that aspect during off-season period.

Attachment to NIS, Patiala

The NIS training centre is my favourite place to train. Along with good training facilities there is an encouraging atmosphere. I really enjoy training over there.

His frame of mind during a match

I completely concentrate on my opponents move. You have to plan a lot of tactics there and then inside the ring. The fact that I am playing for India keeps flashing in my mind.

All the boxers are set to return to the boxing ring when the national camp starts at NIS, Patiala from October 1.

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