Former Indian boxer and Olympic medallist Vijender Singh has pinned his hopes on the female boxers to bring home glory at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He felt that India’s hopes for a boxing medal at the Paris Games will be in the hands of the female boxers. Vijender, the only Indian male boxer to win an Olympic medal, showcased his belief in the Nikhat Zareen-led boxing team to win at least two medals, which could be silver and even a gold.
“I haven’t really followed the fortunes of the male boxers, but whatever I have read about women boxers has been encouraging. The girls will do well, I hope we get one or two medals. It could be a silver or maybe even a gold,” Vijender, who won a bronze medal in the Beijing Olympics 2008 told PTI in an interview.
“It might be that they (the women boxers) will change the colour of the medals,” he added.
Paris Olympics 2024: Full Coverage
Indian boxers gear up for Olympic glory
Indian women’s boxing squad includes Nikhat Zareen in the 50kg category, Preeti Pawar in 54kg, Jaismine Lamboria in the 57kg. Also, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain in the 75kg category.
Vijender admitted that there is less participation of male Indian boxers this time as only two athletes will take part at Paris 2024 Olympics. Amit Panghal will make his 2nd appearance in the 51kg category and Nishant Dev will make his debut in the 71kg category.
“There are less male boxers this time. Earlier we used to have five to six but this time only two are going,” Vijender, who is also India’s first male world championship medallist, said.
Will boxers achieve what Vijender did?
Vijender Singh also reflected on the psychological challenges of competing at the Olympics.
“I don’t know why the standards have fallen, may be the boxers themselves would be better-placed to explain what’s lacking,” he said.
“There is a battle you fight outside and then there is a battle you fight with yourself. That battle involves training your mind to believe that you are the best, become fearless,” he explained.
“Boxing is a lonely sport, there is nobody you can turn to and say that ‘I am scared’ when you are walking out to fight. So, you have to tell yourself to be confident, condition yourself. Everyone feels scared but you have to tell yourself that you are the best,” he said.
India has won three bronze Olympic medals so far with Vijender (Beijing 2008), MC Mary Kom (London 2012) and Lovlina Borgohain (Tokyo 2020) claiming the glory.