Boxer Vikash Krishan seeks MEA intervention to fly in coach from USA

Star Indian boxer Vikash Krishan, who has ensured a Tokyo berth for himself in the Welterweight category, has sought assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs to get coach Ron Simms Jr. in India

His trainer Simms Jr is currently stranded in the United States of America (USA) due to visa issues.

With the Tokyo Olympics knocking at the door, he feels that it is of paramount importance for him to train under the watchful eyes of his coach.

He sent a plea to Union Minister Dr S Jaishankar stating, "Dear sir - my coach is stuck in the US and unable to return to India due to new visa protocols. With the Tokyo Olympics fast approaching, his presence is very important for my training as I aim to win India an Olympic Gold. Could you please help with this."

In September, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) approved Krishan's US sojourn to prepare him for the Olympics. He trained his coach Ron Simms Jr. at the Alexandria Boxing Club in Virginia till November 30 before returning to India.

"I wanted to train better and for that, I am willing to do anything. I was actually excited to come to the US despite the pandemic. You know great sacrifices bring great rewards. I am learning some defensive skills and correcting my technique which will help me in the Olympics," he told TOI during his stint in America.

The pugilist hopes to return to competitive action sometime in early 2021 so that he can get some vital minutes in the ring before flying to Tokyo.

Krishan beat Japan's Sewon Okazawa, the third seed in the 69kg weight class, with a 5-0 verdict in the quarter-finals of the Asian/Oceanian Olympic qualifiers in March 2020 to book his ticket for the Tokyo Olympics. In the semifinals, he defeated Ablaikhan Zhussupov of Kazakhstan.

Krishan competed in the 75kg category in the 2016 Rio Olympics where he lost in the quarter-finals. His transformation back to 69kg from 75kg was inspired by his childhood friend Neeraj Goyat. He also became only the second Indian male boxer after Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh to qualify for three Olympic Games.

Krishan is a gold medal winner at the 2010 Asian Games in the Lightweight category and a gold medal winner at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.