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New Delhi, World Championships medallists Gaurav Bidhuri and Shiva Thapa were the notable omissions, while the likes of MC Mary Kom and Vikas Krishan were picked in India’s boxing squad for the Commonwealth Games, selected for the first time without conventional trials, today.
Thapa made way for national champion and India Open gold-medallist Manish Kaushik in the lightweight (60kg) category. Thapa and Kaushik have faced off twice so far, with the latter winning on both occasions.
In the bantamweight (56kg) category, Bidhuri — out of action since his Worlds bronze in August last year due to a back injury but fit now — has been left out for Mohammed Hussamuddin. The Telangana boxer won a bronze medal at the recent Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria.
Trials will only be held for male boxers in the 91kg and 52kg categories on March 1 and 4, respectively. The selections were made based on a points system put in place before the men’s National Championships last year in October. The boxers were marked for their performances leading up to the Strandja Memorial earlier this month. But surprisingly, they were made aware of this selection process only in January.
“There was no briefing to explain the selection process or the points system. Nobody had a clear idea what is at stake,” said a top official.
In the 75kg division, Vikas Krishan has pipped Mandeep Jangra. In the women’s team, Mary Kom was expectedly picked in the 48kg category, while L Sarita Devi retained her place in the 60kg category. The federation has stuck to its decision to drop the 57kg category despite protests by Sonia Lather. — PTI
Squad: Men: Amit Panghal (49kg), Mohammed Hussamuddin (56kg), Manish Kaushik (60kg), Manoj Kumar (69kg), Vikas Krishan (75kg), Satish Kumar (+91kg) Women: MC Mary Kom (48kg), Lovlina Borgoahin (69kg), L Sarita Devi (60kg).
