Indian Boxing Thread

[prasen9]

Although it is not a fair procedure by itself, if there is a window, why not have Deepak and Amit fight out a nationally televised Olympic Trial bout? Maybe you can make some money and get publicity out of that and maybe choose the best in-form boxer? Amit has been asking for one.

Here is an article that gives some information about the selection policy. It seems the coaches have some points system but they don't explain the breakdown of points, etc. I suppose letting the coaches select is fine but unfortunately, they perhaps do not have that much data about what these folks will do under extreme pressure and in the limelight. So, somebody may practice well but may not have it in a real match.

I agree that one trial is not good. Why not have internal tournaments or a set of trials say four of them three months apart and then use that data with some more weight to the latter ones?

[sameerph]

What are you are saying is done for shooting. They have 4 trials towards end of April where top 4-6 shooters will participate and top 2 will be selected for Paris based on those trials.

Problem is in boxing and wrestling, physical preparation needed perhaps goes on for a month or 2 at least and most of them do need to cut weights drastically before competitions. So, maybe 4 trials in 3 months as you suggested may also not be possible in these sports.

So, either it will have to be a single or at most 2 trials ( as is done for wrestling) or evaluation by coaches ( as is done for boxing). Hard to say which one is better.

[prasen9]

How about doing it once every three months over a year?

[sameerph]

^^^ But, then recent form factor goes away, But, anyway not bad. Too late for that for this olympics though.

[indiansportsfan]

Since Amit won gold in Strandja tournament and was our only boxer to do so, I would be inclined to select Amit as he seems to be in good form. Also there might have been bias in why Deepak was earlier selected in place of Amit since that process is not objective/data driven and Amit may have fallen foul of the coaches who were making the decision.

[prasen9]

The problem is that the same coaches are making the decision. I am leaning towards Amit who may be a tad more likely to rise up the the occassion on a big stage? Conjecture though. Let's see how much Amit has irritated the coaches. Or is it just a minor difference of opinion.

Sameer, yes, you have to weight things. Say, we run 4 trial tournaments three months apart. We give the last tournament 40% weight, the second last 30% and the first two 15% each. Or something like that. And, create a point system for semis, finals, etc. That would reward form highly but not be a one tournament and you win everything there.

[sameerph]

Amit Panghal is selected for the final qualifers-

World Olympic qualifier India squad: Amit Panghal makes comeback amidst drastic changes