C.A. Kuttappa seen with Deepak Bhoria, Mohd. Hussamuddin, and Nishant who claimed bronze medals at the World boxing championship.
| Photo Credit: Instagram/Vishukuttapa
Encouraged by the Indian male boxers’ best-ever displaying of three bronze medals in the latest World boxing championships in Tashkent, head coach C.A. Kuttappa is optimistic that his boys will earn three to four Olympic quota places at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September.
Kuttappa feels the newly-introduced choice coverage based mostly on an evaluation and analysis course of helped the coaches decide the greatest aspect for the Tashkent occasion and can once more allow them to choose the most deserving boxers for Hangzhou.
The finalists in every of the seven weight classes (51kg, 57kg, 63.5kg, 71kg, 80kg, 92 kg, and +92kg) at the Asian Games will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Getting powerful
“Technically and tactically we are number one, but we were not tough. But now we are giving tough fights. We are beating boxers from top countries like Kazakhstan and Cuba. Now the system is much better. After seeing our boxers’ performance at the World championships, I think we will have three to four boxers who will qualify for the Olympics from the Asian Games,” stated Kuttappa.
Elaborating on the evaluation system for the choice of boxers, which was prescribed by high-performance director Bernard Dunne and backed by international coach Dmitry Dmitruk, Kuttappa stated, “You have to get out of your comfort zone. If assessment is happening, it is not only (about how someone is doing) technically and tactically during sparring, but also (it’s about) strength and conditioning, weight management, and health-management. We are taking them forward.
“Every day it is like a competition. From the time training starts till the end, it is a competition. You should do well and improve every day. You cannot be doing the same thing every day…if weight training has been given to you, then you have to do it. It’s not like you’ll do something else. You have to give 101%.
“I have been working with Shiva (Thapa) since 2011, but for the first time I saw him getting out of his comfort zone. I have never seen him working so hard. He won 3-2 but lost 4-3 following the bout review. You have to go forward and show that I am the best. That thinking should come from within.”
Apart from the evaluation, Kuttappa stated the presence of a psychologist via the World championships and a nutritionist (throughout the preparatory camp overseas) helped.
“We got to know that we don’t need to speak to all the boxers in the same way. The psychologist (Adrita Banerjee) told us how to speak to each one of them. Someone like Deepak (Bhoria) does not need anything to be told, while you have to tell Nishant (Dev) to get something done.
“The nutritionist’s role was good for weight management of the boxers as we mainly get beef and pork overseas and boys don’t eat well. Good that dal and other things were prepared for us in the team hotel.”
About the efficiency of the three medalists — Bhoria (51kg), Mohammad Hussamuddin (57 kg), and Nishant (71kg) — in Olympic weight courses, Kuttappa stated, “Deepak had the capability to win the gold, but he lost the semifinal bout despite fighting so well.
“Unfortunately, Hussamuddin, one of the most hardworking boxers, injured his knee in the quarterfinals. Nishant did well to beat the Cuban and reach the semifinals.”
Bhoria was decided to make an influence on his return to worldwide competitors after recovering from a shoulder harm. “The way I trained made me confident,” stated Bhoria.
Hussamuddin upbeat
Having secured bronze medals in the Commonwealth Games, Asian championships and World championships in a span of 10 months, Hussamuddin feels he’s at the peak of his profession.
“My game, including my footwork, feinting, and tactics, has improved a lot. My perseverance has paid off. My daughter (Haniya Firdous) has brought me good luck as I have performed well after her birth,” stated Hussamuddin, whereas hoping to get better in time to be prepared for the Asian Games choice course of.
Having overcome a tricky part in his profession, Nishant boxed with out stress this time. “I was very cool and relaxed as I came to the ring smiling and boxed well in every bout,” stated Nishant.
Now, Kuttappa has shifted his focus to the Asian Games trials and evaluation course of, which is predicted to pose some challenges for the coaches in the coming weeks.
“Keeping Paris 2024 in mind, some boxers will switch to Olympic weight classes for the Asian Games. It is going to be interesting,” stated Kuttappa.
