press trust of india
Kolkata, June 27: Satisfied with her rehab programme after a wrist surgery, boxer L Sarita Devi said here Saturday that India can bag two medals in women’s boxing at the Rio Olympics and touted Mary Kom and herself as the frontrunners for it.
“I don’t know about men’s boxing but in the women’s segment Mary and me will surely get a medal each,” Sarita stated here after inaugurating a karate championship. “We know each other well and she has supported me throughout. Hopefully, we will return with Olympic medals from Rio in 2016.”
Sarita, who won silver and bronze medals in 2014 Commonwealth and Asian Games respectively, underwent a wrist surgery and had her rehabilitation at Bangalore with the help of Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ). “I had a four month training at Bangalore and now I’ll be going to Pune. I’m itching to get back in the ring,” she said.
The Manipuri boxer was banned for one year and fined 1,000 Swiss francs by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for refusing to accept her Asian Games bronze medal in an emotionally charged protest. However, Sarita did not wish to remember the bitter episode and said that she would like to move on. “I want to forget the past and move forward. The whole country supported me and cried for me. Now it’s time for me to pay them back and I’ll let my gloves do the talking,” she stated confidently.
The pugilist also expressed her gratefulness to Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, who lent a strong support to her cause, “It was a great moment for me. Having him (Sachin) by my side is like a dream,” she signed off.
