Indian boxers to take part in China meet

The quartet of Vijender (75kg), Dinesh Kumar (81kg), Akhil Kumar (57kg) and Thokchom Nanao Singh (48kg) comprise the Indian challenge at the Champion of Champions event being organised by the Asian Boxing Confederation in the Chinese city of Guangzhou.
The organisers have invited the top-four Asian boxers in each category and the tournament offers a cool $3,000 to every gold medallist. The small size of the draw means just two days of competition.

Vijender has not competed since winning the historic bronze medal at the World Championships in Milan because of a wrist injury.

“It is completely fine now and I am eager to test my fitness in this tournament. It’s a good opportunity,” said the 24-year-old.

For Akhil, who has also been battling a nagging wrist injury for the past few months, it would be an opportunity to make a fresh start after a rather disappointing 2009. The team’s coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu is already in China.