India will head into the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 with a formidable 20-member squad led by Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen.
The continental showpiece is scheduled to take place in Mongolia from March 28 to April 11, and carries significance beyond medals, serving as a direct pathway to selection for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games 2026.
The squad was finalised after a month-long evaluation process at the national camp in Patiala. Boxers were inducted into the camp following their performances at the National Championships in January, with selectors placing emphasis on recent international form, fitness metrics, tactical sharpness, and consistency under pressure.
High Stakes Beyond the Podium
The Asian Championships this year come with added weight. As per the selection policy, finalists in the approved weight categories aligned with the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games 2026 will earn direct qualification for India’s contingent at those multi-sport events. That makes the Mongolia campaign not just about continental supremacy, but also about cementing spots in two of the biggest events of the cycle.
Women’s Squad: Experience Meets Momentum
Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) headlines the women’s team after recently winning gold at the Boxam Elite 2026 Championship in Spain. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist has shown renewed rhythm and tactical maturity, particularly in managing distance and controlling tempo against physically imposing opponents.
Joining her is Nikhat Zareen (51kg), a World Boxing Cup Final gold medallist and two-time world champion. Known for her quick footwork and sharp counterpunching, Nikhat brings technical precision and championship temperament to the lineup.
India’s recent dominance at Boxam Elite is reflected in the squad composition. Preeti (54kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), and Priya (60kg) all gold medallists in Spain have been rewarded for sustained performance. Their inclusion signals the depth emerging across India’s middle and lighter divisions.
The team also features reigning world champions Minakshi (48kg) and Jaismine (57kg), reinforcing the blend of pedigree and recent form. Minakshi’s compact guard and ring intelligence make her a consistent threat in the lightest division, while Jaismine’s reach advantage and calculated aggression add balance in the featherweight class.
Ankushita Boro (65kg), Pooja Rani (80kg), and Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan (80+kg) complete the women’s lineup. Pooja Rani’s experience in the heavier division and Alfiya’s power-based style in the super-heavyweight category provide structural stability across weight classes.
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In the men’s section, Sachin (60kg) leads the charge after clinching gold at both the World Boxing Cup Final and Boxam Championship 2026. His adaptability in close-range exchanges and ability to dictate rhythm in high-pressure bouts position him as one of India’s strongest medal prospects.
Akash (75kg), another Boxam gold medallist, adds solidity to the middleweight division. Silver medallist Deepak (70kg) and Ankush (80kg) strengthen India’s middleweight presence, both having demonstrated tactical growth and resilience in international outings.
Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (55kg), who secured bronze in Spain and silver at the World Boxing Finals, brings momentum and confidence into the bantamweight division. His recent results underline the consistency selectors sought during evaluations.
The squad is further rounded out by Vishwanath Suresh (50kg), Aditya Pratap Yadav (65kg), Lokesh (85kg), Harsh Choudhary (90kg), and Narender (90+kg). Collectively, the men’s lineup balances youth with exposure, ensuring depth across all ten weight categories.
The selection was overseen by Head Coaches Santiago Nieva (Women) and C.A. Kuttappa (Men), with a multidisciplinary support team monitoring performance metrics during the Patiala camp. Sparring sessions were structured to replicate continental competition styles, particularly those prevalent in Central and East Asia.
India enters the Asian Championships following a strong international stretch. The team secured nine gold medals at Boxam Elite 2026 the highest tally among participating nations and delivered consistent top-three finishes at both the World Championships and World Boxing Cup events. These performances reflect structural progress in athlete development, conditioning, and tactical preparation.
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Asian boxing remains one of the most competitive circuits globally, with nations such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, and host Mongolia traditionally fielding technically polished and physically robust squads. India’s approach will likely emphasise tempo control, counterattacking efficiency, and disciplined defensive movement traits that have defined recent international successes.
For senior names like Lovlina and Nikhat, Mongolia represents an opportunity to consolidate leadership and secure direct qualification for upcoming multi-sport events. For emerging boxers, it is a platform to translate domestic success into continental impact.
Squad List
Women:
Minakshi (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Preeti (54kg), Jaismine (57kg), Priya (60kg), Ankushita Boro (65kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Pooja Rani (80kg), Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan (80+kg)
Men:
Vishwanath Suresh (50kg), Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (55kg), Sachin (60kg), Aditya Pratap Yadav (65kg), Deepak (70kg), Akash (75kg), Ankush (80kg), Lokesh (85kg), Harsh Choudhary (90kg), Narender (90+kg)
With Olympic pedigree, world champions, and a pipeline of emerging medal contenders, India’s 20-member contingent heads to Mongolia positioned not only to contend for podium finishes but to shape the trajectory of the 2026 competitive cycle.
