Devendro Singh is the 2010 Asian games gold medalist in 49 KG category and Asian Youth Championship silver medalist. He also won the President’s Cup this year, he speaks to Gaurav Jha of Indian Sports News about his preparation ahead of the London Olympics, his hopes and how excited he is to participate in his first Olympics and much more.
Excerpts:
ISN: This is your first Olympics, what is the feeling?
Devendro: The feeling is simply great, as a sportsperson I always wanted to represent India but to represent India in the biggest event of them all and it is something different. Olympics is the stage where your ability is tested to the limits and I will give it my best shot.
ISN: Less than a month to go for the London games, are you nervous?
Devendro: Yes, I am a bit nervous but I am excited at the same time, I always dreamt of this and now the time has come for me to be ready and not get affected by the situation.
ISN: This time seven men boxers are participating, what chance to you think our boxers have in London.
Devendro: I think we have a very good chance because this is the first time that such strong boxing team from India will participate in London. All the boxers in the team are raring to go and each one has the ability to win a medal on his own. Last time Vijender Singh won us the bronze medal and this time I am very confident that the result will be much better.
ISN: MC Mary Kom became the first women Indian boxer to qualify for the London Olympics, what do you have to say about that?
Devendro: It is great news for us boxers that Mary Didi will be a part of our team. She has achieved some unbelievable heights and it was high time she participated in Olympics. I am hundred percent sure that Mary Didi will win a medal for our country. She has been a terrific boxer from the past so many years and she deserves to win an Olympic medal.
ISN: Who according to you will be tough challenge for you?
Devendro: Koreans and Chinese boxers are good, especially Koreans. But I am confident against them because I have defeated some of the boxers earlier who will participate in the London games. I have been watching videos and I am ready for them.
ISN: You recently practiced in Ireland, was that any help?
Devendro: It was very good that we practiced in Ireland because the weather and the condition there are somewhat similar to that of London. I practiced with some of the world class boxers and I think that will help me. I also practiced with the boxer that won bronze medal in Beijing Olympics in my weight category and I think that experience will help me a lot.
Indian Sports News
