By Duncan Mackay

Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu, pictured here with India's boxers in the build-up to London 2012, has been persuaded to carry on until Rio 2016 @Hindustan Times via Getty ImagesNovember 20 - India's boxers will continue to be coached by Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu until Rio 2016 after his contract was extended despite the fact he had originally planned to retire following London 2012.


Since being appointed as the chief national coach in 1993 Sandhu has overseen a transformation in the fortunes of Indian amateur boxing.

It culminated at Beijing 2008 when Vijender Singh won a bronze medal in the middleweight division, India's first-ever Olympic medal in the sport.

He followed that a year with another bronze medal at the World Championships in Milan, again the first won by India.

India's men failed to win any medals at London 2012 but Mary Kom did claim a bronze in the flyweight as women made their debut on the Olympic programme. 

Indian boxers Vijender Singh and Mary Kom won Olympic bronze medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 @Hindustan Times via Getty ImagesVijender Singh and Mary Kom won Olympic bronze medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 under India's chief coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu @Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Sandhu had claimed that he would step down following those Games but has now been persuaded to carry on after he was recommended for another contract by a special committee set-up by Indian Boxing Federation (IABF) President Abhishek Matoria

The IABF are currently suspended by International Boxing Association (AIBA) due to a ban on the Indian Olympic Association for Government interference but a solution is expected to be found before Rio 2016.