Vijender Singh wishes best of luck to Indians at World Championships

Manchester: He might have bid adieu to the amateur format but star boxer Vijender Singh will be keeping track of the Indian team at the upcoming World Championships in Doha and is confident that the six pugilists in fray would do the country proud.

"I wish them all the best for the World Championships. I know a lot is going on in Indian boxing right now and it's not easy to stay focussed but they are doing a fabulous job," Vijender told PTI.

Six Indians will be in fray at the World Championships in Doha which is also the first qualifying event for next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

L Devendro Singh (49kg), Madan Lal (52kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg), Vikas krishan (75kg) and Satish Kumar (+91kg) are the Indian boxers who have made the world event after fulfilling the qualifying criteria in the Asian Championships in August.

"I am sure these boys will do exceptionally well in the World Championships too," Vijender said.

The World Championships will begin on October 6 and 23 quota places for the Olympics would be decided in the 10 weight category.

Vijender, on the other hand, is gearing up to make his professional debut on October 10 in Manchester where he will be up against Brit Sonny Whiting.