New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS): Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh says India's fine show in Commonwealth meets has given them the confidence to improve their medals count in the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.
Vijender, who missed the recent National Championships in New Delhi, said he was fit and satisfied with his preparation for the Games.
"Earlier, Indian boxers were content with mere participation in the Olympics and World Championships. But the aspirations have undergone a dramatic change. They now enter the ring confident of matching the rivals punch for punch," Vijender said.
"At the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002, Indian boxers claimed three medals. The tally increased to five in 2006 in Melbourne but this time at Delhi we are hoping to win eight or nine.
"India's fine show in this year's Commonwealth Boxing Championships has made us hopeful of a big haul of medals. In the last Commonwealth Games, India got one gold medal and that tally could increase to five if we live up to our potential," he said.
Vijender said support from home crowd will boost them.
"The support should lift the Indians to greater heights. My focus is on winning a gold medal for India," said Vijender, who became the poster boy of Indian boxing after winning the bronze at the Beijing Olympics.
Vijender is also among the six Indian sportspersons chosen as brand ambassadors for the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
"It’s a big honour to be among the brand ambassadors of the Commonwealth Games, which should be a big hit among sports fans and provide a boost to Indian sportspersons," said Vijender, who followed up his Olympic medal with a bronze in the World Boxing Championships.
The other brand ambassadors are Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra, Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar, ace pistol shooter Samaresh Jung, world No. 2 woman badminton player Saina Nehwal and four-time World champion woman boxer M.C. Mary Kom.
The Indian boxing squad for the Commonwealth Games will be finalised after the Aug 26-28 selection trials in Patiala, where the core group of boxers are currently training.