Opinion Age extension widens pool

When Gurcharan Singh missed a medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics after a narrow loss in the quarterfinal of the heavyweight division,the defeat sent the 29-year old into depression. The knowledge that he would be 33 by the time of the Athens Olympics and towards the end of his amateur career,prompted his defection to the USA to turn professional. Singh’s decision came at a time when amateur boxers had to retire at the age of 34. With the AIBA now raising the upper age limit to 40 years,boxers like Singh might well continue playing for India.

Most Indian boxers who have excelled at the world arena are currently in the age group of 18-25. But while the benefits of the six year career extension may not be immediately obvious to the likes of those who haven’t yet turned twenty (Devendro Singh,Shiva Thapa,Sumit Sangwan),it will definately benefit the likes of Suronjoy Singh and Akhil Kumar who would have thought of the London Olympics as their last chance.

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Age is not always a negative in boxing. Professionals compete well into their 30s,with many excelling even at that age. Lennox Lewis claimed three WBC title after 34,while Wladimir Klitschko,who at 36 is at his prime and is the current holder of the WBA Super,IBF and WBC belts. And of course there is the legendary Cuban Mario Kindelan,who won gold at the age of 33 in the lightweight category in 2004 Athens Olympics defeating 17-year-old Amir Khan.

While the new rules will mean that India will benefit by having more boxers to chose from,it will also mean that the competition abroad,especially from countries with a purely amateur system like Cuba would also increase. From countries where prizefighting is an option (Ukraine,Mexico,and USA for example) the numbers would stay the same. Here most fighters turn professional immediately after an Olympics or World Championships.

Nitin is a principal correspondent based in Chandigarh

nitin.sharma@expressindia.com