Injured Vijender to miss President's Cup

With a wrist injury ruling out Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh for the President's Cup Boxing Tournament, the Indian challenge will be spearheaded by Asian champion Suranjoy Singh at the tournament starting December 6 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

World No 1 Vijender (75kg), who beat then Olympic champion Bakhtiyar Artaeyev en route to a bronze medal at last year's President's Cup, is currently nursing a ligament injury in his right wrist.

"I sustained this injury during a sparring session at the training camp in Patiala. It's a minor thing but will take its time to heal," Vijender told PTI.

"I won a medal at the President's Cup last time, so it is obviously disappointing that I won't be going this time but I can't take a risk with my fitness either. The Commonwealth Games are just a few months away now," he said.

The 24-year-old, who scripted history this September by becoming the first Indian boxer to clinch a medal at the World Championships - a bronze - will take another 10 days before recovering completely.

"Vijender has recovered about 70 to 80 per cent. Some 10 more days of rehabilitation would be enough for him to be fully fit but till then he has to rest," said Indian boxing team's doctor Karanjeet Singh.

Olympian Dinesh Kumar (81kg) too has been ruled out due to a hand injury.

Apart from Suranjoy, former youth world champion and Asian Championship silver medallist Thokchom Nanao Singh (48kg) is the other confirmed Indian name who will compete for Asia in the inter-continental event.

Santosh Singh (54kg) may also participate as the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) is awaiting an all-clear on his name from the Asian Boxing Confederation.

The boxers for the event were selected on the basis of their world rankings and recent international performances.

"Obviously, it would have been good to have Vijender in the team but his fitness is very important too. The guys who are going are also proven performers and hopefully they would do well," said national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu.

Eight continental teams have been invited to compete in event. Two teams each from Asia, America and Europe and one apiece from Africa and Oceania will be in action at the Serhedchi Olympic Sport Complex, with no more than three boxers from one country in the same team.

The winning team will be awarded $50,000, while the gold medal winners in each weight category will receive $3,000.

The Indians would leave on December 5 for the event.