Before big fight,Vikas squares off

The 19-Year-old Indian plays chess to unwind ahead of his semi-final bout against Ukraine's Taras Shelestyuk

On the eve of his World Boxing Championship semifinal bout against Ukraine8217;s Taras Shelestyuk,19-year-old Vikas Krishan took time out to study the Sicilian defence,one of the most popular openings in chess,by reading about it online.

When Indian boxing8217;s rising star is not training in the ring and has time on hand be it at the Bhiwani Boxing Club or just ahead of his gold-medal winning bout against Asian Games defending champion Qing Hu of China in Guangzhou Vikas has played a round of chess. When he beat Hu,Vikas ended the country8217;s 12-year-wait for a boxing gold at the Asiad. Now,he is on the cusp of becoming the first Indian boxer to enter the finals of the World Championship. Vikas emulated Vijender Kumar8217;s feat of winning a bronze in the last edition when he entered the semifinal by beating Moldova8217;s Vasli Belous 9-8.

Exercise for the mind

Like always,even at Baku,he has turned to the 64 squares for a sense of calm ahead of the white heat of the battle in the ring. 8220;I have always enjoyed playing chess. Before a big bout I sleep as much as I can to rest my body and then play a round of chess to sharpen my mind. I have more or less stuck to this routine and it will remain the same ahead of my bout against Shelestyuk,8221; Vikas told The Indian Express.

Chess,introduced to him by his father Kishan Yadav,has allowed Vikas to unwind. 8220;When he was at the Bhiwani Boxing Club he used to always play chess. I think it helped him switch-off from boxing. He has taught many budding boxers how to play the game,8221; coach of the club Jagdish said.

The coach believes Vikas is a keen observer of the sport and can quickly pick-up weaknesses in his opponents. 8220;He has improved steadily from World Cadet champion to World Youth champion and the Asian Games gold,8221; Jagdish said. Vikas shifted from the 60 kg category,in which he won gold at Guangzhou,to the 69kg only four months ago but has quickly adapted to the heavier class.

Nimble footwork

Krishan8217;s opponent on Friday,Ukraine8217;s Shelestyuk has already accounted for the 2008 Olympic silver and bronze medallists and 2009 World Championship silver-medal winner here. 8220;Most Ukrainian boxers rely heavily on their power punches. But I have the technique to tire them out. Footwork is one of my strengths,8221; Vikas said.

The 1998 Bangkok Asiad gold medalist Dingko Singh believes the youngster needs to consistently beat European boxers to become the best in the world. 8220;In Vikas,Indian boxing has got another Vijender in the making. If he enters the final at the World Championship it will be a red-letter day for Indian boxing,8221; Dingko said. 8220;This boy is very calm,it is not easy to unruffle him,8221; said national coach GS Sandhu.

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Vikas remains confident going into the bout against Shelestyuk. 8220;It is not easy getting a medal at the World Championships. It is a huge event,even Vijender managed only a bronze. I am confident about my game. I am definitely aiming for nothing less than a gold.8221; For that,Vikas will first have to checkmate giant-killer Shelestyuk.