Shiva Thapa, Lovlina Borgohain have good chances in India Open: Santiago Nieva

India target to increase medal tally

Our sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The high-performance director of Indian boxing Santiago Nieva said that Indian boxers is targeting to increase the medal tally in the India Open. However, he admitted that it would be a difficult job.

Last year India won three gold medals in the men’s category but women boxers performed well and collected five gold medals. Interacting with local media in a city hotel today Santiago said, “This time we are expecting to increase the tally. Though there are some good teams, but we have also some good boxers and we are expecting some all India finals as well,”

India will put huge team in the championship which included 35 men and 37 women boxers. The player lists included six time world champion Mary Kom along with six boxers from Assam and they are Shiva Thapa (60kg), Jamuna Boro (54kg), Pwilao Basumatary (64kg), Ankushita Boro (64kg), Bhagyabati Kachari (75kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (69kg).

Meanwhile Santiago is highly satisfied with the recent performance of two Assam boxers Shiva Thapa and Lovlina Borgohain in the international meets.

He feels both Shiva Thapa and Lovlina Borgohain have the high chances of winning medals not only in the India Open but also in the forthcoming World Championships which will be the Olympic qualifier.

Replying a query Santiago said, “Shiva has changed his style and he is really doing well. On the other hand, Lovlina is a very technical boxer and now she is getting the experience. So, definitely, Lovlina is a medal contender at the world championships”.

Santiago also hailed several Indian boxers decision to switch over from defensive mode to attacking mode when they enter into the ring to face their opponent. Earlier it did not happen. Replaying a query he said, “We have been training our boxers for the last few months in such a way so that they understand the need to switch from defensive mode to offensive mode faster and make it effective as well. This has resulted in many of our boxers being attacking and aggressive-minded, yet they have been able to hold their ground when needed.”

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