She may have just won Silver medal in her World Championship debut but Indian boxer Manju Rani has no plans to rejig her weight category and give it a shot to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Instead, the young champion wants to develop her skills and prepare herself for 2024.
The 20-year old won her first World’s medal in the recently concluded Women’s championship in Ulan-Ude but since she competes in 48 kg, which is not Olympic weight category. She cannot participate in the Tokyo games. The only situation in which she can play in Japanese capital was if she switches to 51 kg or higher. But since 2012 Olympic Bronze medallist MC Mary Kom is expected to represent India in that, Manju didn’t even want to think about challenging her and instead focus on the future events.
“I have a dream to compete in the Olympics since day one of my introduction to this sport. But right now I am focused on preparing myself for 2024 Paris games. Frankly speaking, I have no plans for 2020. For Tokyo, Mary didi hai vo jayengi (Mary Kom is there, she will go). I want to prepare myself for the games after that,” she responded clearly when asked about 2020 games.
“At present, I aim to establish myself in the 48kg category and perform. And with time I will think about switching to higher weight category and play in the Olympics,” she said during the felicitation ceremony organized by Boxing Federation of India.
