Mandeep Jangra confident of gaining pole position toppling Vikas Krishnan

Mandeep Jangra the silver medal winner at the Glasgow 2014 CWG in the 69 kg category has bulked himself up to try his luck in the 75 kg category in the upcoming Gold Coast edition of CWG. The Haryana born boxer has bagged two podium finishes since his silver-winning performance in Glasgow, which has boosted his confidence to take on the numero uno Vikas Krishnan in the 75 kg category, who is an Olympian and a world championship bronze medallist. 'Middleweight and bantamweight (56kg) are the golden categories of Indian boxing. From Viju bhai (Vijender Singh) to Akhil bhai, look at what these guys have achieved. I think I will also achieve a lot in middleweight,' the newly-crowned national champion told PTI. His statement is backed by facts as Vijender Singh was crowned the country's first Olympic and world medallist in the middleweight category, whereas the bantamweight category has produced boxers like Akhil and Shiv Thapa. Although Jangra was bettered 4-1 by Israil Madrimov, the current Asian Champion and Asian Games medallist, in the semi-finals of the recently concluded Indian Open he thinks that with match-practice under his belt he is getting closer to the pinnacle. "I was up to it against Vikas in the trials and lost a close bout. I beat a Thai boxer at the India Open in the quarterfinals and lost a split verdict to an Uzbek in the semifinal, I think I am getting close to the top performance and will be able to beat Vikas in the next trial. "I know if I have to become the first choice, I have to beat Vikas soundly. He is technically a very sharp boxer but I think I can beat him on pace and power,' he asserted. The 24-year old revealed that his decision to compete in the middleweight category was fuelled by his mentor Akhil. He desperately wants to break into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme as it will ensure better flow of funds which will help him prepare for Tokyo 2020. 'Akhil bhai suggested that I try 75kg after I came back from injury but I was not sure, I thought I didn't have the power but eventually I realised I was mistaken." Jangra acknowledged that it had been a mistake on his part to continue boxing with a hairline fracture in his wrist which only aggravated as he kept participating in tournaments. 'I made a huge mistake in doing that. A bone in my wrist was all but destroyed because of the fact that I continued to compete despite an injury. After CWG, I got it operated, took a long break and have come back after attaining full fitness,' he said. 'I work with a very simple funda 'prayaas itne shaant ho ki safalta shor machaye (efforts should be so calm and quiet that success ends up making the most noise),' concluded Jangra. (Source article: https://www.hindustantimes.com/other-sports/can-dethrone-vikas-krishan-says-bulked-up-fit-again-boxer-mandeep-jangra/story-sTLPDZBUTrAH7tq0jqCEhI.html)