Vijender Singh (75kg) made a return to the Indian boxing team along with Thokchom Nanao Singh (49kg) as the selectors picked the team for the World Championships after a two-day trial here on Wednesday, says a report in Deccan Chronicle, adding that there were hardly any surprises in the team, which will compete under the International Boxing Association's banner due to India's provisional suspension.
Also making a comeback in the squad was Nanao Singh, a former youth world champion and Asian Championships silver medallist. Nanao's cause was helped by the fact that rising star L Devendro Singh was forced out of the trials due to a cut above the eye. Laid low by injuries, Nanao defeated Commonwealth Games gold winner Amandeep Singh among others to secure his place.
According to a report in The Times Of India, Vijender Singh, who was India's first medallist in the World Championships -- a bronze in 2009, took to the ring in a packed hall against rising boxer Sukhdeep Singh, who fought him without a headguard.
"There was a little bit of pressure, it is just that I am good at hiding it. But I kept getting better with every round and ultimately, I am feeling good about my game," the former world number one in middleweight said in a chat after the bout.
"I am happy with my performance in the trials but I can always do better. But for the time being, I am just relaxed that I did well in my comeback," added the boxer, who went through quite a bit of turmoil earlier this year after getting implicated in a drug scandal, in which he was later cleared.
Meanwhile according to a report in The Indian Express the under-pressure Indian boxing Federation on Wednesday said it will conduct a re-election and has amended its constitution as instructed by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) after the world body threatened a blanket ban on the country's boxers and coaches following the October World Championships. "We are ready for elections. We have already incorporated whatever changes AIBA suggested in our constitution and have sent the draft to them yesterday," IBF Secretary General Rajesh Bhandari said.
"They are free to send an observer for the elections. As soon as we get the approved constitution draft from AIBA, we would call a meeting of our general body to fix up the date of election," he said.
AIBA had threatened to bar Indian boxers and coaches from all international events after the October World Championships if the IBF fails to hold a re-election by November 4. "Office-bearers will have to retire at 70 and there would be no more then two terms for the President and Secretary General," he added.
