After 2008 world youth champion Nanao Singh won his opening-round bout against Azerbaijan’s Mamishzade Elvin at the world championships on Thursday to become only the second Indian to reach the second round in this edition, the first thing he did was meet compatriot Jai Bhagwan in the team hotel. He was only following his year-long routine of hanging out with the Bhiwani boxer every evening.

As Bhagwan won his 60kg second-round bout against Ireland’s Eric Donovan on Friday, it seemed Nanao’s pep talk had worked. “It’s something we like doing at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala. Even though I live in a different hostel, Nanao and Suranjoy make it a point to visit. Last night, I was tense after Akhil bhai’s loss but Nanao came to my room and reminded me of my European Grand Prix defeat to Eric Donavan,” said Bhagwan, who, along with Nanao, was one of the medallists at the European GP in May.

Bhagwan seemed intent on having his revenge against Donovan, opening his account early in the bout by taking a 4-1 lead in the opening round before Donovan fought back to make it 5-5 in the second. But it was a one-way contest in the final round, with the Bhiwani boxer completely dominating through his upper cuts to emerge victorious 11-6.

Aggressive intent

“I like to pace my game and the situation was tense after the second round. But I chose to be more aggressive in the final round and it worked. Nanao is facing Asian champion Pongprayoon Kaeo of Thailand, who defeated him at the Asian meet, in the next round and we will all share inputs for the match,” said Bhagwan, who is up against the winner of the bout between Miklos Varga and Eugen Berhard in the third round.

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