Indian boxers subjected to ‘Track drills’ to prep for upcoming World Championships

Indian women’s boxing coach, Raffaele Bergamasco is very thorough in the preparation for the upcoming AIBA Women’s World Championships that will be held in Delhi next month. The Italian had his star performers like Mary Kom and Lovlina Borgohain be subjected to an endurance to test with a 3,000m run around the track at the Jawaharlal Stadium in the national capital.

69kg pugilist Lovlina Borgohain, completed the lap in 11 minutes and 45 seconds was followed by the legend, MC Mary Kom, who managed to finish the course in under 12 minutes. Mary Kom is not only a five-time world champion but is 35 years and still setting an example for the rest of the Indian contingent.

“Increasing the strength and endurance is critical and this running schedule is helping us do that. It becomes monotonous when you are following the same routine, so change is always good, fun and helps us to challenge ourselves more. The run that we have been doing every week, I have personally tried every time to better it,” Mary Kom told TOI on Thursday.

Coach Bergamasco was also impressed by the dedication shown by his squad. Preparations seem on track but only time will tell if the women are able to finish on the podium next month.

“Preparation for the World started eight months back. Over the last three weeks, we are working on quantity for endurance and the next three weeks we’ll concentrate on quality for focus on the tournament,” the Italian told TOI.