Guwahati, April 27: Indian women's boxing contingent is already in Turkey for the World Championships which will begin from May 6. This time, there are four members in the contingent from Assam – Lovlina Borgohain and Ankushita Boro besides two coaches.
The boxers are undergoing training in Istanbul with competitors from 11 countries.
"The training is going on in full swing. We are getting to train with boxers from 11 countries which have definitely boosted up the confidence of our girls," coach Pranmika Bora told The Assam Tribune from the training camp in Istanbul.
"We are extremely grateful to the president and secretary of BFI and also to the officials of SAI for sending the boxing contingent 19 days ahead of the World Championship to get accustomed to the weather conditions here (at Istanbul)."
The technical training with the boxers from other countries has been a huge help for the Indian girls.
"We have been able to find out our oppositions' strengths and weaknesses which will eventually help us during the championships," Pranamika added.
Among others, Lovlina will be fighting in the 70kg weight category while Ankushita will be in action in the 66kg category.
"If I talk about Lovlina and Ankushita, both of them are doing really good both mentally and physically. We see them both as prospective medal winners," said Pranamika who had won her international medal in Turkey in 2004.
"But here I must say that Ankushita's bout will be tougher, especially because there are a lot of boxers have switched to 66kg weight category from their 69kg after the welterweight category was inducted in Olympics this year."
However, it will depend on the draws. "We are hoping for a better draw," she added. Pranamika said that they are expecting an easier outing for Lovlina because of the same reason.
The Indian contingent is training with the boxers from Algeria, Dominica, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Morocco, North Macedonia, Panama, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Serbia. Assam coaches: This is for the first time that two coaches from the State are accompanying the senior team.
"We are happy that we have two coaches from Assam. This is for the first time that two coaches from Assam are accompanying the senior team," Pranamika added.
The other coach with the team is Trideep Borah. Pranamika said that though just two pugilists from Assam are in the contingent, there are a good number of boxers in the State.
"We have some good boxers like Jamuna Boro, Bhagyabati Kachari and Pwilao Basumatary. For some reason or the other, they couldn't be a part of the contingent. They all are good which they have already proved. I think they will continue their good work," she signed off.
