Meditation Helps Boxer Vijender Maintain Focus
MUMBAI: Mental training has gradually become important in every sport and Asian Games gold medalist Vijender Singh has taken to meditation to keep focus for his upcoming challenge - qualifying for the London Olympics.
The Bhiwani boxer, who along with Suranjoy Singh has skipped the Asian Championships to train for the Worlds to be held in Baku in September, spends 15 to 20 minutes on meditation to help him concentrate in the ring. The World Championships will also serve as the first qualifier for London and a quarterfinal finish in each weight category will be enough to make the cut.
"Mental conditioning is very important as it keeps you focused during the bout. When you have a large crowd watching you, the pressure starts building on you and it's meditation that helps you at that time. I usually invest 15 to 20 minutes on it everyday and it has helped me a lot," Vijender said at the launch of the World Gaming Festival.
Besides the Baku event, the final qualifier will be hosted in London in November. However, Vijender is confident of catching the Olympic bus at the Worlds itself. "I am hopeful of qualifying in Baku as I think I can make the quarters, which is the primary criteria to get a berth. This time, as women's boxing has been included in the Games, the qualifying events have been reduced to two from three," he said. The pugilist will be participating at the World Police Games in August-end and a training-cum-preparatory camp in France from September 10 before the qualifiers. "I will go to New York for the Police Games and then will go with the Indian team for the 10-day camp from where we will directly go to Azerbaijan for the Worlds," the Haryana police DSP said.
However, the pugilist will have to face selection trials on August 16-17 at Patiala before he gets to represent the country. Vijender has only participated in the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, following his marriage with long-time friend Archana in May. The 25-year-old is not competing in the Asian C! hampions hips but last edition's memories are still fresh in his mind. "I played in Guangzhou and had to settle for bronze as I lost in the semifinal by one point. It would have been good to play in it again, but my primary target is the Olympics," he said.
Speaking about women boxers making it big at the world's biggest sporting extravaganza, Vijender said: "There are quite a number of good players like (MC) Mary Kom and Sarita who have the ability to earn an Olympic medal and I have high expectations from them."
Asked about the recent doping scandal, Vijender said: "It happens by mistake. It is wrong and should not happen in sports. But I am with the athletes. These athletes had to undergo dope tests after winning medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games and they were found clean. I know how hard they work," he added.
source: www.saddoboxing.com
The Bhiwani boxer, who along with Suranjoy Singh has skipped the Asian Championships to train for the Worlds to be held in Baku in September, spends 15 to 20 minutes on meditation to help him concentrate in the ring. The World Championships will also serve as the first qualifier for London and a quarterfinal finish in each weight category will be enough to make the cut.
"Mental conditioning is very important as it keeps you focused during the bout. When you have a large crowd watching you, the pressure starts building on you and it's meditation that helps you at that time. I usually invest 15 to 20 minutes on it everyday and it has helped me a lot," Vijender said at the launch of the World Gaming Festival.
Besides the Baku event, the final qualifier will be hosted in London in November. However, Vijender is confident of catching the Olympic bus at the Worlds itself. "I am hopeful of qualifying in Baku as I think I can make the quarters, which is the primary criteria to get a berth. This time, as women's boxing has been included in the Games, the qualifying events have been reduced to two from three," he said. The pugilist will be participating at the World Police Games in August-end and a training-cum-preparatory camp in France from September 10 before the qualifiers. "I will go to New York for the Police Games and then will go with the Indian team for the 10-day camp from where we will directly go to Azerbaijan for the Worlds," the Haryana police DSP said.
However, the pugilist will have to face selection trials on August 16-17 at Patiala before he gets to represent the country. Vijender has only participated in the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, following his marriage with long-time friend Archana in May. The 25-year-old is not competing in the Asian C! hampions hips but last edition's memories are still fresh in his mind. "I played in Guangzhou and had to settle for bronze as I lost in the semifinal by one point. It would have been good to play in it again, but my primary target is the Olympics," he said.
Speaking about women boxers making it big at the world's biggest sporting extravaganza, Vijender said: "There are quite a number of good players like (MC) Mary Kom and Sarita who have the ability to earn an Olympic medal and I have high expectations from them."
Asked about the recent doping scandal, Vijender said: "It happens by mistake. It is wrong and should not happen in sports. But I am with the athletes. These athletes had to undergo dope tests after winning medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games and they were found clean. I know how hard they work," he added.
source: www.saddoboxing.com
