Boxing | CA Kuttappa appointed Chief Coach for Men’s Boxing Team

12/26/2018

CA Kuttappa has been named the Chief Coach of the Men’s National boxing team after the retirement of the former national coach S R Singh. In another development, Vikash Krishan Yadav has not been picked for the ongoing national boxing camp after he decided to turn to professional boxing.

The Indian Men’s Boxing Team has a new coach in CA Kuttappa and he has already taken charge of the team at the ongoing national boxing camp. CA Kuttappa was awarded Dronacharya Award early this year for his valuable contribution as a coach and developing boxing talent in the country.

"It's such a huge responsibility but I am trying to do my best. I have a few plans and hopefully, I will be able to execute them," Kuttappa said to PTI.

Kuttappa revealed that it was the High-Performance Director Santiago Nieva who first thought of him as the right man for the job even though he himself had self-doubts. Kuttappa is only 39 years old - one of the more young coaches in boxing.

"He asked me if I was interested. I sought some time because I needed to think it over. I am not most senior in terms of age and that was playing on my mind. I told this to Santiago and he told me I shouldn't be bothered about it," the former National Games gold-medallist from Karnataka said.

Kuttappa’s age does not mean that he is short on experience, as he has already overseen many players like Vijender Singh, Suronjay Singh, and Shiva Thapa to glory as an assistant coach. He too suggested that now he will have a lot more pressure than he had earlier.

"Earlier it used to be more about pumping up my boys but now I am going to be directly responsible for their performance. So, I know the pressure is going to be huge but I hope I can deliver," he said.

On the other hand, Vikash Krishan Yadav has been dropped from the ongoing camp after he signed up a deal with the American promoter Bob Arum.

"I have a month to be fully fit. After that, I will undergo a trial and if all goes well, I will be there when the fresh camp starts," Manoj said.