Mumbai: Since the start of the year, coaches in India’s national boxing camp had made it a point to organise at least one fun-filled evening every month. A simple affair, with song and dance being a prominent feature, sometimes even a fancy dress party.
This a year after the Indian men failed to even secure a podium spot at the World Championships for the first time in 12 years. And there was an upswing in performance from a young men’s team that won two gold and silver medals each.
“The last one we had was a beach theme, and I got first prize,” men’s boxing team head coach CA Kuttappa beams with pride as he tells HT. “The boys did exceptionally well, and to be honest, I never thought we would get such results,” said the Dronacharya awardee. I told all the coaches to watch the sparring sessions, and then analyse the videos of those sessions,” Kuttappa said. “Everyone trains together, and at the CWG, the boys were cheering for the girls’ matches and the girls were supporting during the boys’ bouts,” Kuttappa said.
“These are evenings we have to lighten the mood, bring some kind of change to the routine and help everyone bond. The women boxers returned from Glasgow with five gold medals and a silver. the men had struggled While the women’s team has continued to thrive. Until the Glasgow upturn in performances. Kuttappa was re-appointed head coach of the men’s team in January for his third stint as national coach. Soon after, in collaboration with women’s team coach Santiago Nieva, he started to make a few changes in the way the boxers trained. “What would generally happen is the players would come in for training, spar, and then leave. And that’s it. “There is good team bonding. We are a family, and we’re all together. After the Glasgow performances, there’s optimism about the chances of a resurgent men’s team in Japan.
