Pune : Vijender Singh had been one of the greatest motivation for all the boxers in young blood. But recently, “the powerpump” behind the personality was appraised by Dronacharya award.
There’s no lags while appreciating Vijender for his performance at the Olympics and camp and who would not want to know about the “Ironman” coach behind him! Yes, C.A. Kuttapa, coach of our favorite boxer was awarded by the latter. Expressing his recent victory over another Dronacharya winner Aryaman, Vijender said “Do write that I beat him in 2003 at a national competition.”
Talking of his master, Singh shared “On a more serious note, he is brilliant. A man of integrity, he took care of me, he was there for me when I needed him and I can never forget that. I don’t think there is anyone in Indian boxing who can question his merit,” who is now an iconic boxer for the country. The trail-blazing Vijender’s is not the only career he has shaped, Kuttappa has also worked closely with, among others, Suranjoy Singh, who won an astonishing eight successive international gold medals at his peak, and Shiva Thapa, India’s first boxer to win three consecutive Asian Championship medals, including a gold, and till date the youngest to qualify for the Olympics.
Talking to Kuttapa, he stated “I did my coaching diploma from the NIS (National Institute of Sports) in 2006 and was then posted at the Army Sports Institute (ASI). Me along with some others were deputed to the national camp in Patiala soon after and I caught the eye of then national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu.”
Adding further, he shared “He took me in as an assistant coach and ever since I have been in Patiala. With Viju, my equation was built over a period of time, it started around 2007 and we have been close. He and Shiva are of the same level, their boxing skills are unmatched, punches, movement, it’s just brilliant. They are quite similar, in their own world and close to a very few people but absolute joys to work with. I have always tried to focus on their strengths.”
C.A. Kuttapa started boxing in 1992-93 after achieving mastery over swimming, athletics and volleyball. Although, Kuttapa had been patient contedor yet a powerful smasher, boxing coaching had been quite a journey for him which includes lot of test levels for himself as a coach. “Staying away from family for months is one. I have a young child and it is sometimes difficult for me to go about my job with my family so far away. They visit me in Patiala but obviously it’s not the same,” taking a break, he concluded “But then what’s life without a little challenge.”
