India will begin its international boxing season with a strong 33-member contingent at the Boxam International Tournament in La Nucía, Spain, starting February 2, with Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain set to headline the team.
The event will serve as India’s first overseas assignment of 2026, a year that carries added significance with both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games on the calendar. The tournament offers Indian boxers an early opportunity to measure themselves against international opposition and fine-tune their competitive readiness, even though a number of the country’s biggest names in women’s boxing will not be in action in Spain.
Selection policy shapes the squad
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has named the squad strictly in line with its recently implemented selection policy. In Olympic weight categories, the top two finishers from the National Championships have been selected, while in non-Olympic divisions, the silver medallists will represent India. The approach is aimed at widening the competitive base while maintaining a merit-driven pathway to the national team.
As a result, the Boxam squad offers a blend of proven performers and emerging talent, with several boxers getting a chance to gain valuable international exposure early in the season.
Big names missing, but purpose intact
The women’s team will be without some of India’s biggest stars. Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) has opted out to focus on her preparation for the Asian Championships scheduled for late March, a key stepping stone towards Olympic qualification pathways. Reigning world champions Minakshi Hooda (48kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) are also absent.
Jaismine, along with World Championship bronze medallist Parveen Hooda (60kg), is recovering from injury, while Minakshi and another world bronze medallist Pooja Rani (80kg) are continuing their training programme for the Asian Championships after winning gold at the Nationals in non-Olympic categories. Despite these absences, the Indian camp remains focused on using Boxam as a developmental and performance benchmark rather than a final selection trial.
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At the heart of the Indian challenge stands Lovlina Borgohain, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist competing in the 75kg category. Lovlina’s presence adds experience and leadership to a relatively young women’s squad and underlines the importance India is placing on the tournament.
She will be supported by a group that includes World Championship and Asian Games medallists. Nitu Ghanghas (51kg), the 2023 world champion who has not competed internationally since her title-winning run, returns to action. Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar (54kg) and World Cup gold medallist Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) are also part of the line-up, providing the squad with both pedigree and firepower.
Interestingly, newly appointed women’s head coach Santiago Nieva, who recently joined the national camp after serving as India’s high-performance director, will not travel with the team for this tournament. His absence is understood to be part of a phased integration into the national programme.
Men’s team sees key returns
On the men’s side, the tournament will mark the long-awaited return of Mohammed Hussamuddin (57kg) to international competition. The 2023 World Championships bronze medallist has been sidelined by injury since the Olympic Qualifier in March 2024, and his comeback will be one of the most closely watched storylines of the Indian campaign in Spain.
He will be joined by a strong core of World Cup medallists, including Jadumani Singh and Pawan Bartwal in the 55kg category, Sachin Siwach at 57kg, Abhinash Jamwal at 65kg, and Hitesh Gulia at 70kg. Their presence gives the men’s squad depth and balance, combining experience with emerging contenders.
With the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games looming later in the year, the Boxam International Tournament takes on added importance. For some boxers, it is a chance to re-establish themselves after injury or time away from competition. For others, it represents a critical opportunity to make an early statement in the race for bigger international assignments.
India’s approach this year is clearly built around long-term planning rather than short-term results. By rotating athletes, managing workloads, and aligning participation with key championship targets, the federation aims to ensure its top boxers peak at the right moments.
Full Indian squad for Boxam International Tournament
Men:
Rishi Singh (50kg), Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (55kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Mohammed Hussamuddin (57kg), Sachin Siwach (57kg), Aditya Pratap Yadav (65kg), Abhinash Jamwal (65kg), Hitesh Gulia (70kg), Deepak (70kg), Akash (75kg), Ankush (80kg), Malsawmtluanga (80kg), Jugnoo (85kg), Harsh Choudhary (90kg), Naman Tanwar (90kg), Sawan Gill (90+kg).
Women:
Manju Rani (48kg), Nitu (51kg), Kusum (51kg), Preeti (54kg), Poonam (54kg), Prachi (57kg), Vinka (57kg), Priya (60kg), Disha Vijay Patil (60kg), Pranjal Yadav (65kg), Kajal (65kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Sneha (70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Sanamacha Chanu (75kg), Naina (80kg), Mankirat Kaur (80+kg).
As India heads into a crucial year, the Boxam International Tournament will provide a valuable early snapshot of where the country’s boxers stand on the global stage and who is ready to carry the tricolour forward into the biggest battles of 2026.
