Top pugilists for Senior National boxing

More than 300 pugilists, including Sydney Olympics hero Gurcharan Singh of the Services, are expected to participate in the 47th Senior National boxing championships, to be held at Pimpri, near Pune, from January 7.

The meet assumes importance as it will be a proving ground for all the boxers seeking place in the Indian team for the 2002 Asian championship, to be held in Pusan (South-Korea).

Gurcharan gave a good account of himself at the Olympics before losing narrowly to Andri Fedtchouk of the Ukraine in the quarter-finals.

The bantamweight section has lost some sheen as Asian Games gold medalist Dingko Singh, recuperating from injury, may not be able to participate in the championship.

"There are fifty-fifty chances of him being able to fight," organising secretary Jay Kowli said, adding, "we are hoping he is fit."

Thirty-one units and state associations, including last year's joint-winners Services and Railways along with CISF, Assam Rifles, All India Police and Steel Plant Services Sports Board will be vying for honours.

Olympians Suresh Singh of the Central Institute of Security Forces, Jitender Kumar (Railways), Narendra Rana (Railways) and Vijay Kumar will also be seen in action.

The six-day championshiip, under the aegis of Maharashtra Amateaur Boxing Association, is being hosted by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.