Paris, July 27: As Indian women boxers are all set to begin their campaign in Paris Olympics 2024, tough draws await many of them.
But the Nikhat Zareen-led squad is likely to fetch at least two medals, believes former Olympic medal winning Indian boxer Vijender Singh.
Vijender, India's lone medal-winning male boxer, is sure Indian women pugilists will excel in Paris Games. Vijender, won a Bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Games.
India's women boxing contingent comprises of Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Tokyo Olympics Bronze-winner Lovlina Borgohain (75kg).
Similarly, India's male boxing contingent this time includes only two Olympic qualifiers - Amit Panghal (51kg) and debutant Nishant Dev (71kg).
Apart from Vijender, only two other Indian boxers, both females of course, have been successful in an Olympic podium finish. The two successful women pugilists are MC Mary Kom (London 2012) and Borgohain (Tokyo 2021).
All these three Indian boxers have won Bronze medals at the Olympics. So far, no Indian boxer (either male or female) has managed to reach the final and fight for Gold.
But Indian women boxers have done very well in World Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. But that success and excellence is still awaited in Olympics.
If Vijender's predictions come true, may be India will end up winning more medals from women boxing in Paris Olympics 2024.
