JOIN USThe 23-year-old middle weight bronze medallist from Beijing Olympics would be up against top boxers from Europe and Cuba in the event, which is part of the European boxing calendar.
“I have trained for one-and-half months in Patiala. I am not carrying any injuries and I do feel fresh. The nagging pain in my back has also subsided and I am confident of doing well,” said Vijender, who along with five others leaves on Monday night for the tournament in the Czech Republic.
Vijender said staying out of the ring for eight months would not make him rusty.
“I will try my best but luck is also something. Let’s see what happens but I think I have trained hard enough to be ready for the challenge,” he said. The other five boxers in the Indian team are Suranjoy Singh (51kg), former national champion P Narjeet Singh (54kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg) and reigning light welter weight national champion Manoj Kumar.
C Kuttappa, the man Vijender has credited for grooming him before the Olympics, will be accompanying the team as coach. Vijender said he is well aware of the expectations from him post-Olympics.
“There is pressure to perform after winning the medal in Beijing but then, I generally do well when put under pressure. It brings out the best in me and hopefully, I will be able to prove this with my performance in this Grand Prix event,” he said.
The Bhiwani-boxer said the tournament would help him assess his fitness as he gears up for next month’s Asian Championship in China and the World Championship scheduled for August-September in Italy.
“It is like a preparatory tournament, that is why I am not putting myself under too much pressure. But obviously, if I don’t do well, questions will be asked, which I don’t want,” he said.