Upbeat over two Olympic berths secured at the third Asian qualifier in Karachi, national coach G S Sandhu said the performance of the youngsters proved that it is a "golden era" for Indian boxing.
"Our boys have given a superb performance by clinching two [Olympic] berths, considering that they are fresh into the senior level," Sandhu said in Delhi on Thursday, on arrival from Pakistan.
"The boxers are motivated as their good work is being acknowledged with rewards as well as facilities by the federation and the government," the coach said, though adding it would be unrealistic to talk about their Olympic chances.
Eighteen-year-old Vijender, who became the youngest pugilist to earn a quota place in the Olympics, and Diwakar Prasad qualified in the bantam and light-welter weight categories to add to the earlier two quota places earned by Akhil Kumar (flyweight) and Jitender (light-heavy) in the first two qualifying events.
On the controversial first round exit of India's ace boxer Mohammad Ali Qamar, a disappointed Sandhu said: "It was a clear bias to which even the Pakistani spectators and the media reacted, but in boxing, decisions are very subjective as far as such close bouts are concerned."
Asked why the Indians did not register a protest, he replied: "I had openly reacted to the whole episode at the venue itself and if that did not help, a written protest would have hardly served any purpose. So we decided against it.
"Moreover, we had not gone there to fight but to perform."
A dejected Qamar said, "My plans are to take full rest."
He said, in the low weight categories the bouts are usually very close but now he would work on his last round techniques and learn to tackle taller opponents.
Diwakar, the national bantam weight champion, said he gained a lot of confidence from the Pakistan outing.
"I am feeling confident about my game but the final round debacle made me realise that I need be more swift in my action. I will do my best to be 100 per cent fit and sound in techniques before the Olympics."
Vijender, the Afro-Asian Games silver medallist, said he also "felt the bias" during his bouts against the Pakistani boxer.
Indian Amateur Boxing Federation official Rakesh Thakran said a team, which will be announced in a few days, will be sent to Athens for a pre-Olympics tournament, to be held from May 24 to 30.
