A morale-boosting medal haul was secured but Indian boxers, who returned today from tournaments in Russia and Cyprus, missed out on the vital experience of competing without headguards as neither of the two tournaments introduced the latest AIBA innovation as was expected.
The boxers, 20 in all, returned to the country today after competing in Khabarovsk International Competition in Khabarovsk, Russia and Invitation FXTM International Limassol Boxing Cup in Cyprus.
While the team from Russia came back with two silver and three bronze medals, the contingent to Cyprus was even more successful with 10 medals (four gold, three silver and three bronze medals).
Without doubt, the trips were morale-boosting for the boxers, who cannot compete under the Indian flag because of the international suspension, but they were looking for more than just medals.
"We were hoping that the new changes would be applied at the event but that didn't happen. It would have been very good for us to get some competitive experience without headguards," said a boxer who fetched a bronze medal at the tourney in Russia.
The headguards will be done away with in the coming World Championships in October.
"We do train without headguards in the national camp. Even some trials have been conducted without headguards but to compete without protective gear internationally is an altogether different ball game," said a coach.
