Three Bhutanese boxers are undergoing intensive training as they prepare to represent Bhutan at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Games will bring together athletes from 45 countries and regions, along with the Olympic Council of Asia Refugee Team. Athletes will compete in 43 sports from September 19th to 4th October.
For the three boxers, every punch, every technical drill and every piece of advice from their coach now matters.
Twice a day, they train for about an hour and 20 minutes each session at the Bhutan Boxing Federation Hall.
Mornings are for conditioning. Evenings focus on technique and tactics, with the boxers working on speed, combinations, attack and counter-attacks. They spar with partners, work on punching pads and bags, and complete two-minute bouts in the ring.
They also undertake physical exercises such as rope climbing, hand coordination drills, push-ups and monkey bars, followed by stretching and cool-down exercises.
For 27-year-old Kinga Wangmo from Trashiyangtse, the Asian Games will be her third international competition. She is the only woman in Bhutan’s boxing contingent and will compete in the 54-kilogramme category.
She says, “I am aiming to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. If that is not possible, I hope to win at least two or three bouts and contribute to enhancing Bhutan’s and the Bhutan Olympic Committee’s reputation. I also hope that my participation will encourage more Bhutanese women to take up boxing and compete at the international level.”
Kinga won gold at last year’s Four Nations Boxing Championship.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Migma Dorji from Dagana is also entering the Games as a gold medallist.
He will compete in the 55-kilogramme category, making his fourth appearance at an international tournament.
“We have trained well for this year’s Asian Games, and I have received a lot of support from my coaches and teammates. I will give my best and try to perform well at the Games,” says Migma Dorji.
Another 23-year-old boxer, Kinley from Trongsa, will compete in the 60-kilogramme category.
With five international tournaments and two gold medals behind him, he too is aiming to make an impression in Japan.
“Our training has mainly focused on speed, physical fitness and tactics. I am hoping to win one or two bouts at the Asian Games. We have trained well, and we are ready and prepared to compete.”
The three boxers have been training under Cuban head coach Norveis Sanchez for around six months. They also underwent a month-long closed-door training camp in Pangbesa, Paro, chosen partly because its climate is considered similar to that of Japan.
The head coach says, “We’re focusing on technical and tactical preparation, especially attack and counter-attack techniques. Technically, the preparation is going well, and we have met all the preparation parameters.”
The team has had limited opportunities for external training camps and high-level sparring, something the coach says would have helped the boxers prepare for tougher international opponents.
“Sparring and training camps would have been very beneficial at this stage of our preparation. Unfortunately, it was not possible to organise them. It is not the fault of the athletes or coaches,” adds the coach.
Despite the challenges, the coach says the immediate target is to win bouts and, if possible, fight for a medal.
For Bhutan’s boxers, the final weeks will be crucial as they look to sharpen their skills and enter the ring with confidence on the Asian stage.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sangay Chezom
