Vettel expects at Korean GP Boxers look to mind their heads at Worlds
Mokpo has struggled to attract fans in three years
IF A BOXER CONSTANTLY BLEEDS FROM A PARTICULAR CUT DURING THE BOUT, HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO CONTINUE BY THE MEDICAL JURY
SEOUL: Sebastian Vettel has heard boos from the crowd after winning the last three races but Sunday’s Korean Grand Prix should put a stop to that.
Fed up Formula One fans hoping to see a different driver standing on the top step of the podium may be disappointed but they are more likely to be shouting at their television sets than making a noise in Mokpo.
The Yeongam circuit, reached after a three hour journey south from Seoul on the country’s fastest train, is near a remote port more on the map for shipbuilding than tourism or a passion for motorsport. “The atmosphere at the track isn’t great because there aren’t many spectators, but the track’s got some challenging sections and some good corners,” commented Vettel’s Red Bull team mate Mark Webber.
The Australian started on pole position last year but it is Vettel who has won the race for the past two seasons and is favourite for the hat-trick, even if that does not sit well with Ferrari fans and others yearning for a closer battle.
The champion’s fourth successive title looks a foregone conclusion and could be won by the end of the month but until then the 26-year-old is putting into practice the old German saying that all good things come in threes.
Since the end of the August break, Vettel has chalked up his third Italian win, his third Singapore GP victory in a row and his third successive win this season.
Only Vettel and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, the man who is now his closest rival in the championship even if there is a 60 point gap with six races remaining, have ever won the Korean race since it first appeared on the calendar in 2010.
Alonso needs to win it again but even he recognises that it will likely take a stroke of luck to slow the German’s rush to the title.“we need to be lucky for the last six races if we want to win the championship,” the Ferrari driver said after finishing second, for the third race in a row, under the Singapore floodlights. NEW DELHI: When Indian pugilists take part in the 17th edition of the World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, lack of headgears could weigh on their minds.
It will be the first time they are fighting under such rules and it’s not just the playing conditions that will challenge our boxers. There are other issues as well.
Since the country’s boxing federation is facing sanctions from its world body, the Indian contingent will also be at a disadvantage as no official except the coaches will be allowed to accompany the team. Hence the Indians will be in Kazakhstan without a team doctor or a physio. There is yet another problem. The Indians will not be able to file protests against any of the verdict as they will not be participating under the Tri-colour.
“It’s certainly a big loss,” a boxer said, without wanting to be named. The world body had directed the Indian federation to change their constitution and hold fresh election by December first week.
Chief national coach GS Sandhu however said his trainees were ready. “Our boxers are ready to be aggressive,” he told HT from the national camp in Patiala.
But chances that the boxers would be in a slightly defensive frame of mind could not be ruled out. The rules are simple. If a boxer constantly bleeds from a particular cut during the bout, he is not allowed to continue by the medical jury. So to avoid injury Sandhu felt chances were that boxers could be reluctant to drop guard. “However, it’s a level playing field. All competitors will want to avoid serious injury as it would jeopardize their dreams,” he added.
Due to massive participation, each boxer might have to go through four or five bouts before entering the final. So without headgear chances of getting injured would be higher. But former international pugilists Akhil Kumar said: “Injury from a punch is rare unless it’s really hard blow. Cuts are generally due to head-butts and elbows. Boxers need to be cautious,” he said.