Chandigarh: Suranjoy Singh’s first experience with boxing was out of chance. His superior in the Indian Navy was on vacation and Suranjoy was called upon to take part in a unit boxing meet as a replacement. Less than five years later, the 22-year-old Manipuri has replaced Rajkumar Sangwan as the current Indian Asian championship gold winner. Suranjoy edged Li Chao 9-8 in the flyweight category in Zhuhai on Saturday.
“There was a lot of pressure. Chao was playing in home conditions and the whole crowd was cheering for him. But I was confident about ending the drought for India. I was down 0-2 in the first round before I made my counter-moves,” said Suranjoy, speaking to The Sunday Express from Zhuhai. He has now claimed a gold medal in two straight international events — last month he claimed the top spot in his category at the European Grand Prix.
After winning silver at the World Military Games last year, Suranjoy had followed up with a bronze at the German Grand Prix. “The Military Games were a big boost for me. I got a chance to meet Russian and European boxers. We also got a chance to interact with foreign coaches. Nanao has also been a great support and since we come from the same state, he keeps shouting encouragement in Manipuri during my bouts,” Suranjoy said.
Sangwan, the last Indian boxer to win gold at the Asian Boxing Championship in 1984, said Suranjoy exceeded expectations by winning against a local favourite. “I remember when I won in Tehran 15 years ago, it was against an Iranian boxer. It is very difficult to concentrate when the whole crowd is supporting your opponent and Suranjoy proved his class today," shared Sangwan.
In another bout, Nanao Singh lost 9-8 to Thailand's Pongtrayoon Keaw in the 48 kg category. In the lightweight final, Jai Bhagwan lost 8-3 to Hudayberdiev Serdar of Turkmenistan. India were placed third in the overall standings behind hosts China and Uzbekistan.