Suranjoy to lead Indian challenge

 
World number one Vijender (75kg), who beat the then Olympic champion Bakhtiyar Artaeyev en route to a bronze medal at last year’s President’s Cup, is currently nursing a ligament injury in his right wrist.

“I sustained this injury during a sparring session at the training camp in Patiala. It’s a minor thing but will take its time to heal,” Vijender told PTI.

“I won a medal at the President’s Cup last time, so it is obviously disappointing that I won’t be going this time but I can’t take a risk with my fitness either. The Commonwealth Games are just a few months away now,” he said.

The 24-year-old, who scripted history this September by becoming the first Indian boxer to clinch a medal at the World Championships — a bronze, will take another ten days before recovering completely.

“Vijender has recovered about 70 to 80 per cent. Ten more days of rehabilitation will be enough for him to be fully fit but till then he has to rest,” said Indian boxing team’s doctor Karanjeet Singh.

Olympian Dinesh Kumar (81kg) too has been ruled out due to a hand injury.

Apart from Suranjoy, former youth world champion and Asian Championship silver medallist Thokchom Nanao Singh (48kg) is the other confirmed Indian name who will compete for Asia in the inter-continental event.