Click to play videoHyderabad: Saina Nehwal is all geared up to trade punches with none other than boxing champ Akhil Kumar. This is a part of an innovative training regimen ahead of the Indian Open, which gets underway from the March 24.
“It feels really good to work out with someone so good. He encourages me a lot,” says Saina.
A bout against a girl may never have been part of his practice schedule but Akhil enjoyed every moment of it.
Both athletes have had some injury worries in recent times and with the same trainer to look after them, a spar between each other seemed like a good idea.
“It is the first time I have trained with a girl. She is India's future,” says Akhil.
So the disappointment of her first round exit at the All England championships appears to be behind her and Saina looks well prepared to knock the stuffing out of her opponents in Hyderabad in the coming week.
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