Indian boxing is set for a defining week as the country’s top male and female boxers prepare to battle for national supremacy at the Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships, scheduled to be held from January 4 to 10 at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida.
The championships promise not just intense competition but also major implications for national team selection as India looks ahead to key international assignments in the coming cycle.
For the first time in the history of Indian boxing, the Elite Men’s and Women’s National Championships will be conducted simultaneously at a single venue. Around 600 boxers from across the country are expected to participate, competing across 10 weight categories each in the men’s and women’s sections. The combined format is being viewed as a landmark step, bringing parity, scale, and heightened visibility to the domestic boxing calendar.
The field boasts an impressive lineup of elite performers who have recently made their mark on the global stage. Leading the women’s draw is reigning world champion Meenakshi, alongside two-time former world champion Nikhat Zareen, both of whom enter the Nationals as firm favourites in their respective categories. Their presence adds significant weight to the championships, turning several bouts into virtual international-level contests.
Also competing will be a host of established stars who have consistently delivered for India at major events. Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain returns to domestic competition, eager to reaffirm her dominance. World Championships bronze medallists Pooja Rani and Parveen, former world champion Nitu Ghanghas, reigning world champion Jaismine, and Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar further strengthen an already formidable women’s field.
The men’s competition is equally stacked. World Boxing Cup Finals gold medalists Hitesh and Sachin headline the draw, while silver medallist Abhinash Jamwal will be keen to convert international success into national gold. Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal and seasoned campaigner Amit Panghal, a former World Championships silver medallist and Asian Games gold medallist, add depth and experience to a field that blends proven excellence with emerging contenders.
Speaking ahead of the championships, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh highlighted the importance of the event within the broader context of India’s recent boxing resurgence. He noted that Indian boxing is on a clear upward trajectory, underlined by dominant performances at the World Boxing Cup Finals and consistent medal hauls at international competitions. According to Singh, the Nationals provide a critical platform for both established stars and rising challengers to demonstrate their readiness and stake a claim for national team selection, particularly with the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games on the horizon.
Beyond titles and medals, the championships carry significant selection value. All medallists in Olympic weight categories will be called up for the national camp following the event, ensuring continuity in preparation for major multi-sport competitions. In non-Olympic weight categories, only gold and silver medallists will earn a place in the national camp, raising the stakes further for boxers competing outside the Olympic classes.
The selection framework reinforces the Nationals’ role as a gateway to international representation rather than merely a domestic competition. With India’s boxing calendar increasingly aligned to global benchmarks, performances in Greater Noida could shape careers and define trajectories over the next two years.
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Participation rules reflect both inclusivity and competitive rigor. Each affiliated state unit or member association is permitted to field up to 10 men and 10 women boxers, ensuring broad national representation. Boxers who competed at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Noida in November 2025 have been granted direct entry into the Nationals, recognizing their recent international exposure and performance levels.
Eligibility has been clearly defined, with boxers born between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 2006 permitted to compete. This wide age bracket allows seasoned veterans and emerging talents to share the ring, often producing compelling match-ups between experience and youth.
The venue itself adds to the significance of the event. Gautam Buddha University has previously hosted major boxing competitions and offers the infrastructure required for a tournament of this scale. Hosting both men’s and women’s championships together is also expected to improve logistical efficiency while creating a more vibrant, festival-like atmosphere around the sport.
As the championships get underway, the focus will be on more than just medal counts. For India’s elite boxers, the Nationals represent validation, selection, and momentum. For challengers, they offer an opportunity to disrupt the hierarchy and force their way into national contention.
With world champions, Olympic medalists, and rising stars sharing the same ring, the Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships promise a week of high-quality boxing that could shape the future of Indian boxing on the international stage.
