Dubai, May 23

A crucial test of preparations for the Olympics-bound boxers, the Asian Championships get underway here tomorrow with India aiming to improve on their performance in the event’s previous edition. A total of 19 Indian boxers — nine men and 10 women — will stake their claim for the top honours and prize money, a first in the event.

The boxers reached here yesterday after a tumultuous few hours, which included a delayed landing and some confusion over approval paperwork. In addition, the team had to withdraw South Asian Games gold-medallist Vinod Tanwar (49kg) from the event after he tested positive for Covid-19.

The build-up and the subsequent journey seemed symbolic of the Indian boxers’ Olympics preparations this year with Covid-19 disrupting training on several occasions. “This will give us a good sign as to where we stand before the Olympics and where we need to adjust,” Indian men’s boxing’s High Performance Director Santiago Nieva said.

India had won 13 medals — including two gold, four silver and seven bronze — at the last edition of the tournament in 2019, their best-ever show in the event.

Seven women boxers have already been assured of podium finishes due to the small size of the draws. MC Mary Kom (51kg), Pooja Rani (75kg), Anupama (+81kg), Saweety (81kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Lalbuatsaihi (64kg) and Monika (48kg) made the last-four stage when draws were unveiled today.

Prize fund

For the first time, the International Boxing Association has announced a prize fund for the tournament, a total of $400,000. The tournament, which was originally scheduled to be held in India but was shifted to Dubai because of the Covid-19 pandemic, will award $10,000 to gold winners. The prize money for silver medallists is $5,000 and $2,500 for bronze medallists. — PTI

Indian squads

Men: Amit Panghal (52kg), Mohammad Hussamuddin (56kg), Varinder Singh (60kg), Shiva Thapa (64kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg), Ashish Kumar (75kg), Sumit Sangwan (81kg), Sanjeet (91kg) and Narender (+91kg)

Women: Monika (48kg), MC Mary Kom (51kg), Sakshi (54kg), Jasmine (57kg), Simranjeet Kaur (60kg), Lalbuatsaihi (64kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Pooja Rani (75kg), Saweety (81kg) and Anupama (+81kg)