Amit Panghal wants to train at SAI's high-altitude training in Shillaru ahead of Paris Olympics

NEW DELHI: Amit Panghal, the Olympic-bound world championships silver medallist boxer, has expressed his desire to train at SAI's high-altitude training centre in Shillaru for the Paris Games instead of preparing abroad.
The Netaji Subhash High Altitude Training Centre in Shillaru, Himachal Pradesh, is where Panghal believes he can strengthen his endurance, an area he has been focusing on.
"I am planning for high-altitude training in Shilaroo. If that happens it will be great for me," Panghal said in a press conference facilitated by SAI in collaboration with IOA and BFI.
"I am focussing on endurance. After cutting weight I feel fatigued in the third round. So, I am working to increase it," he added.
Panghal, who made a remarkable comeback to the national team by winning the 51kg quota in the final qualifying tournament, also cited dietary constraints as a reason for wanting to train in India.
"I have an issue with the diet outside. I don't get anything to eat. And my weight is also less. Last time (ahead of the Tokyo Olympics) that was a huge problem," he said, referring to the Indian boxing contingent's training in Italy before the Tokyo Games.
The 28-year-old former World No. 1 plans to continue seeking the advice of former Indian men's boxing coach Blas Iglesias Fernandes of Cuba, who currently works as the High Performance Coach at the National Centre of Excellence, Rohtak.
"He makes you train smartly. I have had a very good experience training with him before qualifiers. Now, I will train with him," Panghal said.
The Sports Ministry has invested a total of Rs 52.78 crore on boxers in the Paris Olympic cycle, including Rs 42.50 crore assistance through ACTC (Annual calendar for training and competition).
(With PTI inputs)