Boxers prepare for Nationals in Goa

By Aldrid Da Costa

With a right hook, left jab, followed up with a quick succession of upper cuts to the chin, the young pugilists went through their combinations, eager to catch the eye of the boxing selectors at ringside, at the trials in Campal’s indoor stadium, Panjim on Thursday.

With no wild card entries, it was certain only the fittest would survive, as the Goa boxing association set about the task of selecting the sub junior girls and junior men for the nationals in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan respectively. “The sub junior girls can only fight girls the same age as themselves and weight is also a criteria, while the junior men are ranked in fourteen categories starting from pin weight (46kg to heavy weight (80kg+),” stated SAG boxing specialist Praveen Shirodkar.

The hopefuls romped out of their respected corners quickly enough, as they knew that they only had one round to prove their mettle. It was a test of real aggression, rather than plodding along trying to go the distance, with no Mohammed Ali showboating shuffle in sight. “That’s my son in there”, screamed one proud excited mother.

The referee would occasionally intervene to ensure that the mouth guards were safely in place. With the adrenaline pumping on the sidelines, the athletes limbered up one by one; shadow boxing; smelling the sweet smell of victory in their gloves and waiting on the cusp of glory for their moment.

The match ups were pulsating to say the least, with two exciting bouts in particular. The first saw two lightweights go toe to toe for the entire three minutes.

The second, witnessed one boxer brutally chase his opponent around the ring like a lion narrowing down on his prey, knocking him to the canvas on three separate occasions with the bell eventually coming to his mercy.

What about the dangers associated with the sport (or science as described by some)? “At amateur level, all participants are wearing head gear to prevent any serious danger, it is a little bit more challenging for unskilled fighters, but to be honest I used sustain more injuries playing basketball,” reasoned GBA secretary Clyde Lobo.

As the session came to a close, the next potential Vijendra Singh’s and Mary Kom’s skipped out of the gym, with no scar’s on their face. The only marks these combatants would hope to succumb too are the sports policy marks, and you bet they earned them!

First published in Herald on July 1^st 2011