Established stars asserted their pedigree while several challengers ensured the Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships remained fiercely competitive, as action continued at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida.
World Championship bronze medallist Pooja Rani and India international Jadumani Singh registered commanding wins, but Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and seasoned campaigner Amit Panghal were pushed hard before securing passage to the next round. The championships mark a historic first, with the men’s and women’s National Championships being held simultaneously at the same venue. Over 600 boxers from across the country are competing in 10 weight categories each for men and women, underlining the depth and growing competitiveness of Indian boxing at the domestic level.
Pooja, Jadumani Impress with Dominance
Haryana’s Pooja Rani, competing in the 75–80 kg category, delivered one of the most one-sided bouts of the day. The world championship medallist showcased superior ring control and clean punching to blank Anju of Chandigarh 5–0, asserting her authority from the opening bell. Pooja’s movement, timing, and shot selection ensured that her opponent never settled into the contest.
In the men’s 50–55kg category, Jadumani Singh was equally dominant. Representing Services, Jadumani overwhelmed R Parthiban of Tamil Nadu, forcing the referee to stop the bout in the second round. His relentless pressure and sharp combinations left little doubt about his intent as the tournament progresses.
Lovlina and Panghal Made to Work
While some favourites cruised through, others were tested far more rigorously. Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain faced a tough challenge from Saweety of Assam, who matched her punch for punch in an intense contest. Lovlina eventually prevailed 3–2 via split decision, drawing on her experience to edge a bout that could easily have gone either way.
A similar story unfolded in the men’s section, where former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Amit Panghal found himself in a hard-fought encounter against Priyanshu of Haryana in the 50–55 kg category. Representing SSCB, Panghal had to dig deep to secure a narrow 3–2 split decision, highlighting the fine margins at play even for India’s most accomplished boxers.
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The championships had begun on Monday with several marquee names making emphatic starts to their campaigns. Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen showcased her class in the 48–51kg category, blanking Nidhi of Chandigarh 5–0 with a composed and technically sound performance.
World champion Minakshi, competing in the 45–48kg division, was equally dominant, defeating V Lakshaya S Vijayan of Tamil Nadu by an identical 5–0 unanimous decision. Both boxers controlled proceedings throughout, rarely allowing their opponents to find rhythm.
Lovlina Borgohain, competing in the 70–75kg category on the opening day, had a more comfortable outing earlier, dispatching Krisha Verma with a unanimous verdict to ease into the tournament before facing a tougher challenge on Tuesday.
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The men’s competition also produced several commanding performances. In the 47–50kg category, Sagar defeated Ashutosh 5–0, while Sumit delivered a similar result against Arshpreet Singh in the 70–75kg division. Young prospect Hitesh underlined his potential with a dominant 5–0 win over Ankit in the 65–70kg category.
Elsewhere, Sachin was clinical in the 55–60kg division, outclassing Tushar 5–0, while Ankush produced a similar performance against Suraj Bhan in the 50–55kg weight class.
With Paris 2024 behind them and Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, the Senior National Championships carry added significance. For established names, the tournament offers an opportunity to reassert dominance and maintain their standing within the national setup. For younger boxers, it represents a platform to challenge the hierarchy and stake a claim for future international assignments.
As the competition progresses, the early rounds have already underlined a key takeaway: Indian boxing’s domestic depth continues to grow. While stars like Pooja Rani, Nikhat Zareen and Jadumani Singh remain benchmarks, the resistance faced by Lovlina Borgohain and Amit Panghal serves as a reminder that no bout can be taken lightly at the national level.
