The 23-year-old bronze medallist from Beijing Olympics would be up against top boxers from Europe and Cuba in the event.
More than eight months after he won India its first Olympic medal in boxing, middle weight pugilist Vijender Singh is aware that he would be watched when he returns to the ring in a European Grand Prix event in Usti Na Labe, Czech Republic from May 13 to 18.
The 23-year-old bronze medallist from Beijing Olympics would be up against top boxers from Europe and Cuba in the event, which is part of the European boxing calendar.
"I have trained for one-and-half months in Patiala. I am not carrying any injuries and feeling fresh. The nagging pain in my back has also subsided and I am confident of doing well," said Vijender, who along with five others leaves for the tournament on Monday night.
"And yes, I am aware that I will be watched," he added.
The other five boxers in the Indian team are Suranjoy Singh (51kg), former national champion P Narjeet Singh (54kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg) and reigning light welter weight national champion Manoj Kumar.
C Kuttappa, the man Vijender has credited for grooming him before the Olympics, will be accompanying the team as coach.
Vijender said he is well aware of the expectations from him post-Olympics.
"There is pressure to perform after winning the medal in Beijing but then, I generally do well when put under pressure. It brings out the best in me and hopefully, I will be able to prove this with my performance in this Grand Prix event," he said.
Vijender assured staying out of the ring for eight months would not make him rusty when he gets back to action.
"I will try my best but luck is also something. Let's see what happens but I think I have trained hard enough to be ready for the challenge," he said.
Vijender said the tournament would help him assess his fitness as he gears up for tougher challenges like next month's Asian Championship in China and the much-anticipated World Championship scheduled for August-September in Milan, Italy.
"It is like a preparatory tournament, that is why I am not putting myself under too much pressure. But obviously, if I don't do well, questions will be asked, which I don't want," he said.
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