Olympics Qualifiers will be tougher with US and European participants, says Amit Phangal
Ace Indian boxer Amit Phangal has been of the opinion that the Asian qualifiers wouldn’t be any less difficult with boxers from the United States and Europe participating. Phangal would also be warming up for it by taking part in the World Military Games next month and the Indian Boxing League.
After a brilliant outing in the World Boxing Championships, where Phangal finished with a silver medal, he is now preparing for yet another tough assignment at the Asia/Oceania Zone qualifiers in China. The tourney, which has been scheduled for February next year, would be a qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics.
“For us who are in the lower weight category, the level of competition at Asian qualifiers is same as World Championships. Most of the Asian boxers win medal at the Olympics or World Championships. So it will be tough. Of course, the World qualifiers will be tougher as U.S. and European boxers will also participate,” said Panghal, reported PTI.
India did quite well at the recently-concluded World Championships but after the International Olympic Committee suspended the International Boxing Association from conducting boxing in the Olympics in Tokyo, the Olympic qualifier status removed from the tournament.Â
“At least three-four of us would have qualified if World Championships were still the Olympic qualifiers. It would have been a big achievement,” Panghal noted.
Shifting his weight category wasn’t easy and Phangal has got a good idea of his shortcoming at the World Championships. He has also acknowledged that he would have to work on his strengths to improve for future competitons which are the World Military Games and the Indian boxing League.
“I will work on my strength and stamina. We will improve as we inch towards the qualifiers. We have to hold on to our top form, we can’t effort to let it slip a bit till the Olympics. These competitions [World Military Games and the Indian Boxing League] will help in our preparations for the qualifiers as we will get the chance of playing many world level boxers with different styles, different strategies and mental strength, so we it will only boost our performance,” he added.
