agencies
BENGALURU, Apr 27: The 20-year-old boxer Akshya Siwach, who is competing in the 63.5kg weight category at the Khelo India University Games 2021 (KIUG), on Wednesday said the games are like "test among the best young athletes" across the country.
Akshay is representing OPJS University, Rajasthan and has already breezed into the semifinal of the competition.
Speaking about the Khelo India platform, Akshay said: "The Khelo India University Games are like a test among the best young athletes in the country, because to qualify for this stage, athletes have to come through state and university level qualifying competitions beforehand."
"Oragnising these Games is a good initiative by the Government of India. I am happy with the diet that is being given to athletes who have come here to participate. We are being given the right diet in the right amounts. Other than their training, this is the most important aspect for athletes to improve."
With two uncles and an elder brother, who have competed at international level, Akshay believed that he was destined to take up the sport from a young age. However, the source of his inspiration comes from another renowned name.
"I idolise and try to follow Vikas Krishan Yadav, because I am also a southpaw just like him and we both come from Bhiwani. He is a great boxer, and his biggest quality is how he applies his mind in each bout. He shows that boxing is not just a physical sport, but a mental battle as well," Akshay said.
The land of Haryana has been a vast hunting ground for the brightest talents in Indian boxing since the turn of the 21st century, making household names of stars such as Vijender Singh, Vikas Krishan Yadav, Pooja Rani, Amit Panghal, and many more. Another such star in the making at the KIUG 2021 is the young Akshay from Bhiwani. |
