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Journalism of Courage
With several equally talented boxers in the 49-kg light flyweight category,selections to the national squad have always appeared to part of a game of musical chairs. While once the spotlight would be on Nanao Singh of Services or Amandeep Singh of Railways,attention has now shifted to Devendro Singh. The youngster stole the show in the Olympic qualifiers trial to edge past the duo. But with Devendro not taking part at the Nationals,this year,both Amandeep,who won the title in 2009 and Nanao,who was victorious last year are looking to the games to get back in the reckoning.
8220;It8217;s been a tough competition in the 49 Kg for most of us. Earlier 2007 World Cadet Champion Sunil Kumar also used to play in the 49 Kg category and it was even tougher. At one championship,I would win,then Sunil would win at other and Nanao would also win,8221; says Amandeep who scored a 10-4 win over Lal Chand Shaw of West Bengal to move into the quarters. Amandeep however says the competition is a good thing. 8220;Whatever happened made us work hard. At the national camp,all of us train hard and there is rivalry only at the ring. Off the ring,we roam together,cook food together and spar together. Whenever we face any problem in training,we discuss with each other,8221; said the CWG bronze medallist Amandeep Singh.
Glad to be facing this problem of plenty is national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu. 8220;The biggest strenth for the three boxer is their bonding,8221; he says. And undoubtedly ,the tough competition is good for Indian boxing. 8220;It8217;s a good thing to have such talents. There was a time when last year I was really confused. Amandeep would beat Nanao and would later loose to Sunil. And Sunil would loose to Nanao in the trials. And then Devendro came. Now what can a coach do in this scenario. But it8217;s good thing,8221; shared Sandhu.
