Nikhat Zareen Sparkles, Anjali Stuns Manisha Moun on Day 1 of Elite Women’s Boxing Tournament 2025
At the heart of Hyderabad’s Saroornagar Indoor Stadium, the opening day of the Elite Women’s Boxing Tournament 2025 roared to life with intensity, surprise, and pure boxing class. Spearheading the event was two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen, who lived up to her star billing with a composed victory in the preliminaries. Yet, it was Haryana’s Anjali who turned heads by delivering the tournament’s first major upset defeating world bronze medallist Manisha Moun in a gripping encounter.
Organised by the Telangana Boxing Federation in association with the Boxing Federation of India and the Sports Authority of Telangana, the tournament runs from June 27 to July 1, featuring India’s finest women pugilists, including national champions, rising stars, and international medalists. Fifteen participating teams comprising 12 state units from the Elite Nationals, host Telangana, the SAI NCOE Combined Team, and the TOPS Talent and Development squad are competing across 10 Olympic weight categories.
Nikhat Starts with a Statement
Telangana’s own Nikhat Zareen opened her tournament in the 48–51kg category with a dominant 4:1 win over Uttar Pradesh’s Rashi Sharma. Nikhat, who’s a fan-favourite in Hyderabad, received thunderous applause as she walked into the ring.
Her bout was marked by her usual tactical brilliance and quick footwork. Although Sharma did manage to win one judge’s scorecard, the result was never in real doubt as Nikhat dictated the tempo, mixing combinations with smart ring movement.
Scorecards in her favour read 10:9 on four cards, with just one narrow 9:10 going against her—emphasising both control and confidence as she progressed to the quarterfinals. She next faces Kalpana from the SAI NCOE setup, promising a tighter test for the world champion.
Anjali Shocks Manisha Moun in 57–60kg
Arguably the highlight of Day 1 came from the 57–60kg category, where Haryana’s Anjali edged past World Championships bronze medallist Manisha Moun in a closely contested 3:1 decision. Known for her aggressive style, Manisha struggled to settle into rhythm as Anjali used swift counters and body movement to frustrate her high-profile opponent.
Judges ruled the bout 28:26, 28:26, 28:26 in favour of Anjali, with one judge calling it a draw at 27:27. It was a result that stunned the crowd and sent ripples through the draw. Anjali’s tactical discipline and defensive maturity marked her out as one to watch through the rest of the competition.
Clinical Wins from Other Big Names
Several top-seeded boxers opened their campaigns with authority:
•Nitu (Haryana), the 2023 World Champion in the 45–48kg category, blanked Rajani Singh (UP) 5:0. Her timing and composure were on full display as she breezed through the three rounds with unanimous scores ranging from 30:26 to 30:27.
•Laxmi (TOPS), a key figure in India’s development pipeline, delivered a ruthless 5:0 win over Ragini (UP) in the 51–54kg category. All five judges gave her a clean sweep, with one scoring a dominant 30:22.
•Yashi Sharma (Telangana) also gave the local crowd reason to cheer, defeating K. Monisha (Tamil Nadu) in the 60–65kg division with a commanding 5:0 verdict. Her scores of 30:24 and 30:25 across the board reflected total control.
•Tanu (SSCB), Shiksha (RSPB), and Monika (Delhi) were among other notable names to record convincing wins in their opening bouts, all by 5:0 margins.
Walkovers, RSCs, and Dominant Displays
Apart from technical masterclasses, Day 1 saw a number of contests decided by walkovers and referee stoppages. Notably, Ruchika Wadte (Maharashtra) secured an RSC (Referee Stopped Contest) win in Round 1 against Vanshika Raj in the 57–60kg bout. Similarly, Vidhi Rawal (Maharashtra) in the 70–75kg category overpowered Mehtab (Rajasthan) with an RSC in Round 1.
A few bouts including those of Bhupali Hazarika, Vishu Rathee, Neelam Singh, and Keerthi Bandi ended in walkovers, giving these athletes an easy passage into the next round.
Quarterfinal Brackets Set
With the preliminaries concluded, the tournament now heads into the high-stakes quarterfinal stage. The Day 2 draw includes several anticipated matchups:
•Nikhat Zareen will face Kalpana (SAI NCOE)
•Laxmi takes on Shiksha in what promises to be a technical battle in 51–54kg
•Anjali, fresh off her giant-killing, meets Delhi’s Gargi Tomar
•Ankushita Boro, a former World Youth Champion, makes her tournament debut against Parthvi Raj
Day 2’s action will begin at 11:00 AM and feature 39 scheduled bouts, pushing athletes one step closer to the medal rounds and national camp selection.
The Stakes: Patiala Camp Spots on the Line
The Elite Women’s Boxing Tournament 2025 isn’t just about medals and prestige it’s also a key selection event. The top two finishers (gold and silver) in each of the 10 weight divisions will secure spots in the upcoming elite national camp in Patiala. That camp will form the nucleus of India’s preparation for future international events, including the Asian Championships and World Qualifiers.
For young boxers like Anjali and Laxmi, a strong run here can be career-defining. For seasoned names like Nikhat and Nitu, it’s about reaffirming their positions atop the national setup.
Telangana Hosts with Flair
This edition of the Elite Women’s Tournament marks a milestone for Telangana as host. Backed by the Sports Authority of Telangana, the tournament has attracted an enthusiastic local crowd, buoyed by the participation of home favourites like Nikhat Zareen and Yashi Sharma. The Saroornagar Indoor Stadium has provided a lively, well-organised venue, adding to the tournament’s professionalism.
Final Word
Day 1 of the Elite Women’s Boxing Tournament 2025 delivered everything it promised: elite talent, gritty upsets, and a fierce competitive spirit. With stars like Nikhat Zareen commanding the ring and underdogs like Anjali rising from the shadows, Indian women’s boxing continues to thrive with both depth and diversity. As the tournament heads into knockout territory, expect fireworks, heart, and more stories of resilience. Because in this ring, reputation meets reality and only the strongest move forward.
