Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 19 2009:
World youth champion Thokchom Nanao, Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh and another Olympian Jitender Kumar will spearhead an 11-member strong Indian challenge at the Asian Boxing Championships in Zhuhai, China, from June 5 to 14 .
Nanao clinched gold medal in the world youth championship held in Mexico earlier this year.
He was raised from Nachou of Bishnupur district.
Besides Nanao there is another Manipuri boxer who won the lone Indian gold medal in the recent European Grand Prix boxing event in Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic when even Beijing Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh could not entered the final.
He was raised from Uchiwa .
He is presently serving in the Indian Navy in the rank of Chief Petty Offier.
Vijender won a bronze medal at his first tournament since Beijing - the European Grand Prix even.
The middleweight pugilist will now be seen in action in the Asian Championships as he continues the build-up to the high-profile World Championships in Milan, Italy.
Vijender will have his cousin Balwinder Beniwal (64kg) for company.
Balwinder had won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune last year.
Meanwhile, Jitender would be striving for success in his new bantamweight division.
The squad: Nanao Singh (48kg), Suranjoy Singh (51kg), Jitender Kumar (54kg), Chhote Lal yadav (57kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg), Balwinder Beniwal (64kg), Jagat Singh(69kg), Vijender Singh (75kg), Dinesh Kumar (81kg), Gurlal Singh (91kg) and Paramjeet Samota (+91kg) .