IBF reshuffles CWG core group

An impressive performance at the recently concluded senior national championships has seen Vikas Krishan (60kg) become one of 17 new members in the core group of Indian boxers for the Commonwealth Games. However, the list also has nine boxers dropped after being unimpressive in training.

The 18-year-old Haryana boy and World Youth champion Vikas had upset Olympian Diwakar Prasad and former international medalist Rakesh Kalaskar on his way to a maiden gold in the Nationals. National coach GS Sandhu called him the find of the tournament. “He has shown the potential to be a top-class boxer. His movement is swift in the ring and he can go from attack to defence in very quick time. Let’s see how he shapes up,” Sandhu said.

All set to participate in next month’s Youth Olympics in Singapore, Vikas has been drafted in even as Kalaskar has been dropped from the Patiala camp. The total number of boxers in the core groups has now gone up to 48, even though the Sports Authority has cleared only 41 names. The IBF is confident of getting the rest cleared soon.

Former Commonwealth championship bronze medalist Dilbag Singh Thakran (69kg), who quit amateur boxing a couple of years ago pursue his professional ambitions, has also been included in the camp. Dilbag made his way back after securing a silver at this year’s Nationals, having conceded the final due to injury.

Also among those awaiting SAI’s clearance to join the camp include ex-national champion Sanjay Kolte (49kg) and former world cadet champion Balbir Singh, who upset Suranjoy Singh in the fly weight (52kg) division. Former world cadet champion Vipin Kumar (49kg), who won a silver at the Nationals has also made the cut.

Stars stay
Although the IBF had made participation in the Nationals compulsory, failing which it threatened to bar boxers from the Commonwealth Games trials, stars like Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh (75kg), Commonwealth Games gold medalist Akhil Kumar (56kg) and Asian bronze medalist Jitender Kumar (56kg) still sat out with injuries. They have however still kept their place in the squad. The trials for the Commonwealth Games are expected to be held here in the later half of next month.