Rolling with the punches in Ontario
Wow. We have been welcomed with (almost) open arms by the Indian team. We met up with the Indian boxing team after not seeing them for almost two years. They arrived in Canada on May 19 to train and spar with Canadian boxers. They often travel for these kinds of training camps to gain experience with different fighters. After about five days in Sudbury, Ontario, they went to Brampton for two nights, and are now in Windsor. We’ve been with them the whole time.
We had an amazing translator from Toronto, Geetanjali Dagar, who basically donated her time to our project. She moved here from India a few years ago and is studying at Ryerson. Geentajali is very sociable and became quick friends with the boxers. She was a vital link between us and them. There is no way we could have done this on our own. With Geetanjali’s assistance, we explained our project and our intentions. We showed them a 20 minute highlight reel from our last shoot at the 2006 world championships and some training footage. They enjoyed watching the footage of themselves boxing.
After several discussions, I think we understand the coach’s position much more clearly. He really is looking out for the boxers and wants what is best for them. We were able to show him that we want the same thing, and that our project can only help them. He responded well. (We’re thrilled.) He even invited us to join them at the World Championships in China this November. Finally, we are making headway against the tide.
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