Boxing needs a bigger push in South India, says Indian men’s boxing head coach C.A. Kuttappa

Hailing from Kokeri village in Napoklu, Kodagu, the land known for producing Olympians and brave hearts, Chenanda Achaiah Kuttappa (C.A. Kuttappa) is an internationally known boxing coach who has been credited with shaping some of the best Indian boxers, including Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, Suranjoy Singh, Shiva Thapa and Amit Panghal, among others..

An ex-serviceman, Kuttappa, who retired as a Subedar from the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) earlier this year, is currently the head coach of the Indian men’s boxing team that won two gold and two silver medals at the recently held Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Kuttappa training one of the boxers during the preparatory camp for Commonwealth Games-2026 which concluded recently.

A Dronacharya Awardee (2018), Kuttappa previously worked with the Indian men’s boxing team as head coach from 2018 to 2021, during which an Indian boxer won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships.

Kuttappa (standing second from right) seen with the Indian men boxers at Glasgow, Scotland.

Kuttappa was also part of the Indian boxing support staff during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when Vijender Singh won a bronze medal. He was also the head coach during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

After a break of a year, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) re-appointed him as the head coach of the Indian men’s boxing team ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Kuttappa flanked by his wife P.U. Ashwini (right)  and daughter C.K. Yudhi.

A resident of Gokulam 1st Stage in Mysuru city, Kuttappa is married to P.U. Ashwini and the couple has a daughter, C.K. Yudhi.

Star of Mysore caught up with C.A. Kuttappa during his recent visit to Mysuru following the heroics of the Indian boxing team at the  Commonwealth Games 2026. Excerpts:

By S.N. Venkatnag Sobers

Star of Mysore (SOM): Sir, firstly, thank you for talking to Star of Mysore. The recent achievements in boxing at the Commonwealth Games-2026 have been spectacular compared to previous Games. What do you have to say about that?

C.A. Kuttappa: The achievements have been remarkable. We have been able to achieve success because of our hard work and the efforts of the coaches and supporting staff, including doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists and others.

SOM: How was the preparation for the Commonwealth Games? Winning seven gold medals in boxing is a great achievement.

Kuttappa: After the Nationals, we went for build-up competitions in Spain and the Czech Republic, where we won a lot of medals. Later, we got good opportunities to participate in other international boxing events in which our top boxers selected for the Commonwealth Games took part. We also keep track of the progress being made by lower-ranked boxers who are in the No. 2 and No. 3 positions.

They play a crucial role as backups in case the top-ranked players miss the main event due to injuries or other reasons. We have been able to achieve good results because of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), as they provided us with the much-needed exposure and opportunities to prove our potential, which we did at the Commonwealth Games.

SOM: Compared to previous years, the Government of India has been encouraging sports. How do you think it has helped sportspersons?

Kuttappa: Yes, we are getting a good budget for boxing as well. People always compare other sports with cricket. It is a different sport. They have done extremely well and we cannot be compared with them.

We also need to do well at the international level. If we want to be considered at the same level as cricket, we need to work hard, plan well and execute those plans to win more medals at the international level.

SOM: What was the feeling when the boxers you coached were winning gold medals at Glasgow?

Kuttappa: As a coach, it is a completely different feeling. We always plan before the bouts. Watching videos of the opponents and discussing their styles, attacks and movements are some of the things we do. It is important as it helps our boxers understand the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents.

There are times when we change our strategies and tactics during the bout. When our execution goes according to our plans, the results will be satisfactory, just like at the Commonwealth Games.

SOM: With the Commonwealth Games mission accomplished, the next target is the Asian Games. How are the preparations?

Kuttappa: Yes, we are now preparing for the Asian Games to be held in Japan from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4. Compared to the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games is a tougher competition. Countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which are among the top-ranked boxing countries in the world, will be competing as well.

They are really good in terms of technique and tactics. The intensity of the bouts will be high and mentally demanding. Come what may, we are confident of doing well in the Asian Games, similar to what we achieved in the Commonwealth Games.

SOM: Talking about boxing, most of our boxers are either from North or Northeast India. Where is South India lacking?

Kuttappa: Most of our boxers are indeed from the North or Northeast. People there think of boxing as a sport, but here it is considered fighting. I always tell my boxers not to take the punch but to hit the punch. We need to educate parents and children about boxing as a sport in South India.

In the North or Northeast, the situation is entirely different. People take up boxing as a profession. There are boxers earning a good Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh every month. The State Governments have been extending all necessary help, with sponsors also coming forward to support top-ranked and high-performing boxers.

In the South, importance is given to very few sports and people insist on getting their children educated rather than allowing them to pursue sports as a profession.

SOM: Speaking about yourself, you come from Kodagu, which is famous for hockey and producing soldiers for the Indian Army. How did boxing happen to you?

Kuttappa: I started my boxing career in 1992. Before that, there was a selection process for only three sports disciplines: Swimming, volleyball and boxing. Since I was good at athletics and sports, I passed the physical fitness test and they asked me to choose between the three games. I asked them for some time and told them I would like to try all three sports before making a choice. I tried all three and finally selected boxing.

In fact, one of my father’s cousins, C.C. Machaiah, who is an Arjuna Awardee in boxing, had also told me about how boxing as a profession would be useful and help me financially.

In the first year, there were no results as I was still in the learning process. In the next two years, I won the sub-junior and junior titles for Karnataka and the junior national championship. After joining the Indian Army, I represented Karnataka in many national-level competitions and also won a bronze medal at the National Games held in 1997.

After I was injured and stopped boxing, I was thinking about what to do next when my senior officers advised me to continue with boxing. So, I completed my diploma in boxing and joined the national camp as a coach. I have trained Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, Akhil and other top boxers and continue to train boxers even today.

SOM: How does it feel to be awarded the prestigious Dronacharya Award at a young age?

Kuttappa: It is satisfying. I believe it is a result of hard work and sacrifice. You should ask my wife and my mother. They both know the amount of time I have dedicated to my profession.

I only get to spend one or two months at home. Most of the time, I am travelling with the team, preparing them for competitions. I have taken up the responsibility of the national team and it is my duty to ensure they do well and bring laurels to the country.

SOM: Sir, thank you so much for your time and all the best for the Asian Games and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Kuttappa: Thank you.