Joshna credits improved fitness to training stint with Akhil

Eight-time national champion Joshna said she trained with Akhil and Matthews at Bangalore in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, where Akhil went on to stun the reigning world champion before bowing out in the quarterfinals.

"Though I have matured as a player and feel that I am technically okay, I suffer because of tough draws and perhaps lack in fitness too. Fitness is as important as skills in international sports.

"I joined Indian boxing physiotherapist Heath Matthews at Bangalore and it was there that I realised what fitness means," said Joshna.

"Akhil Kumar was there for the preparations for Beijing Olympics. He was a great inspiration for me. He is sincere in his training and caring about others," she added.

"He used to worry more about preparations of his fellow boxers like Jitender Kumar and Vijender Singh who were training at Patiala. Akhil is fond of 'Jalebis' and we loved to break the tight diet schedule.

Joshna said she followed Akhil's progress at the Olympics and felt sad when the flamboyant bantam weight pugilist missed out on a medal.

"It is unfortunate that Akhil and Jitendra missed a medal at Beijing but they had fought very well," said Joshna.

Talking about her own game, Joshna said she was being helped by British coach Malcolm Wilstrop.

"I am at more ease in Britain and have Sourav Ghoshal there too. Since my patch up with SRFI, I also train at SRFI center in Chennai under Indian coach Cyrus Poncha.

"The arrangement has benefited both me and the federation. Though I mostly train in England I needed some place in Chennai when ever I was there," Joshna, who was at logger-heads with SRFI till some time ago, said

Joshna lamented the lack of challenge at the national scene.

"Mostly my rivals for title are Deepika Pallikal or Anvesha Reddy and I have never lost to them," she pointed out.