Indian Women Pugilists set to leave for China Open

The London Olympic Games in 2012 will be the first time women boxers would be allowed to compete in the biggest sporting arena of the world. On 14 August 2009 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decreed that 36 places would be available in London to the world’s elite female fighters, who would compete across three weight categories: flyweight (48-51kg), lightweight (56-60kg) and middleweight (69-75kg). Ever since this decision was made in India and across the world a new generation of medal hungry women pugilists has emerged looking to create history at the Olympics next year.

The China Open team: L-R (Dr Sanjogita Soodan, Monica Suan, Pooja Rani, Sonia Lather, Mahavir Singh)

As a part of the build-up program, the Indian Boxing Federation sent teams to the Asian Cup women’s boxing tournament in China and the Arafura Games in Australia, where the Indian teams returned with favourable results. While MC Mary Kom bagged top honours at the Asian Cup adding to her tally of medals, Pinki Jangra opened her account on the senior tour with a gold medal at the Arafura Games and Pooja Rani brought home the silver. Now IABF is sending a 6 member team (3 boxers and 3 support staff members) to participate in the 2nd China Open Boxing Tournament which will be held in China from May 27 to June 4, 2011.

Participation in these competitions marks the beginning of the first phase of IABF’s preparation and groundwork for the qualifier events of the London Olympics, the first being the AIBA Women’s World Championships schedule to be held in May next year. The tournament that will take place in Guiyang City, the capital of Guizhou province, will have bouts in three weight categories as per Olympic Standards.

National Coach Anoop Kumar believes the China Open would offer strong competition and will be a good exposure for the girls considering it would be the first international event for two of them. He said, “It is not going to be easy but this tournament will provide a perfect platform to train the boxers for events like the Asian and World Championships”. He further added, “We are not looking for medals at this point, it will be a big learning experience for them”.

The 3 boxers partaking in the event have been selected on the basis of their performance at the 34^th National Games in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. The selection committee comprised of Coach Anoop Kumar, Arjuna awardees Mehtab Singh, Mohd. Ali Qamar, Gopal Devang, and C Narayanan.

Leading the Indian charge at the China Open would be gold medallist at the 34^th National Games, Pooja Rani in the middle weight category. Pooja who missed the gold by a whisker at the Arafura games, is keenly looking forward to this opportunity to build on her international experience. “My aim is to get qualified for the Olympics and good performance here will certainly help my cause. Last time I missed on the gold, but I will try my level best to get it this time”, expressed the 20 year old.

Sonia Lather (51kg) and Monica Suan (60kg) who performed well in the youth circuit before breaking onto the senior tour have also made it to the squad.

The complete squad is as follows:

S.No	Name	Wt Cat	Unit
1	Sonia Lather	51KG	HAR
2	Monica Saun	60KG	PUN
3	Pooja Rani	75KG	HAR
Support Staff
1	Mahavir Singh	Coach
2	Dr Sanjogita Soodan	Doctor
3	Brig PKM Raja	Manager