New Delhi, Aug 5 (PTI): Mandeep Jangra has returned as a silver-medallist in just his debut Commonwealth Games but the only bit of celebration that the rising boxer has planned is relishing one home-cooked meal before heading straight back to the training camp to prepare for next month's Asian Games.
Back in the country this morning from Glasgow after fetching the welterweight (69kg) silver at the 20th Commonwealth Games, Mandeep said he has no time to relax and unwind as he has to start preparing for the September 19 to October 4 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea.
"I am in a hurry. I have to show my face at home to my family, enjoy a meal cooked by my mom, which I have been missing for so long. Actually I am desperate for it. Then I will head straight back to Patiala because the Asian Games trials are scheduled from August 9," the 21-year-old Haryana-lad said in an interview.
"I have to start training as soon as possible because the next challenge is not too far away. I have to ensure that this final loss is turned into a win the next time I step into the ring," he said.
Mandeep, mentored by 2006 CWG gold-medallist Akhil Kumar, said although it would have been good to get a gold but he does not mind the silver one bit either.
"It was my first Commonwealth Games and I would take this silver. After losing the final, there was disappointment but it wasn't as if I was sad for too long. I am satisfied and I have learnt my lessons which would help me in giving better results," said Mandeep, who was coached by Akhil's wife Poonam Beniwal before he made it to the national camp.
The youngster, who won a silver medal at the Asian Championships last year, said his rise has been the result of the conviction that Akhil has had in him.
"He has done all the planning for me. He is the one who has shaped me. I follow the advice that he gives me and even in future I would do things the way he tells me to," said the protege of his mentor.
"He stayed up to watch my bouts during CWG. He called me after the final loss, told me that I could not do what the plan was but it's ok and he was satisfied with my performance."
Speaking about his experience of competing in a multi-sport event for the first time, Mandeep said, "It felt good to rub shoulders with the best in the world. To share the stage with some of the top guys is something that made me more confident about myself."
One such superstar he met at Glasgow was Amir Khan, the youngest British Olympic medallist, who went on to become a two-time world champion in professional boxing.
"It was brilliant interacting with him. He is such a big name in boxing but is a very down to earth person who loves to mingle with people. He told me about his past interactions with Akhil bhaiyya and Vijender bhai," said Mandeep.
"It felt nice talking to him and he told us to continue working hard," he added.