Don’t want boxers to peak before time, says BFI chief Nieva

Boxing Federation of India's chief performance director Santiago Nieva said the BFI will continue to assess boxers on various factors before selecting them for a major event and doesn't want them to peak before time.

Boxing Federation of India's chief performance director Santiago Nieva (L) has said the BFI will continue to select boxers for events on a points system.

After selecting boxers for the Commonwealth Games on a points system, based on performances in different events, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) said it would stick to the same method to pick the squad for the Asian Games.

The BFI, which announced the list selected boxers for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on Tuesday evening, will continue to assess a boxer on various factors before selecting him/her for a major event.

“We are trying to follow an objective system and see where a boxer stands. The points system alone is not the criterion. There are other factors which are taken into account while selecting a boxer. We see a boxers’ performance over a period of time and we don’t want him to peak before time,” BFI chief performance director Santiago Nieva told Sportstar .

READ: India not to field boxers in four categories at CWG

“We conducted trials for a few weights where the boxers were equal. Now the trials will be held only if they are necessary. Since the boxers are getting so many international events these days, there is no scope for trials,” he added.

Nieva said the door would be open for accomplished boxers, such as Shiva Thapa and Sarjubala Devi, who missed out on making it to the Commonwealth Games squad. “Absolutely, the field will be open again for the Asian Games.”

On dropping 64kg and 81kg from the men’s section and 57kg and 75kg from women’s section, Nieva said the decision was necessitated because of the stipulation of slots for each country. “Even though there are 16 weight categories (10 men and six women), no country can field boxers in more than 13 weights. We are fielding 12, Australia 13, Great Britain 12 and Canada seven.”

Among the selected male boxers, Amit Panghal (49kg) and Mohammed Hussamuddin (56kg) have impressed in different events, while Manish Kaushik (60kg), who beat Shiva Thapa twice in recent past, has been consistent.

RELATED: Naman Tanwar wins trial, makes case for CWG selection

World Championship medallist Vikas Krishan (75kg), who was recently adjudged the ‘Best Boxer’ in the Strandja Memorial event , former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manoj Kumar (69kg) and Asian championship medallist Satish Kumar (+91kg) bring in a lot of experience.

World youth bronze medallist Naman Tanwar (91kg) and Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist Gaurav Solanki (52kg) booked their berths after going through trials.

In the women’s section, India has fielded former World champions Mary Kom (48kg) and Sarita Devi (60kg), former Commonwealth Games medallist Pinki Rani (51kg) and talented youngster and Asian championship medallist Lovlina Borgohain (69kg).