India’s women boxers delivered another commanding day at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026, with Preeti Pawar producing the standout performance of the tournament so far, defeating Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aeji Im of South Korea to storm into the 54kg final.
Alongside her, Priya and Arundhati Choudhary also booked their places in their respective title bouts, underlining India’s growing strength across weight categories.
Preeti’s victory was not just about progression it was a statement. Facing one of the most accomplished names in the division, the Indian bantamweight showcased composure, tactical clarity, and ring control to dominate all three rounds. The unanimous 5-0 verdict reflected her authority in the bout, as she consistently dictated the pace and neutralised Im’s attacking intent.
A gold medallist at the World Boxing Cup Finals, Preeti has been steadily building momentum on the international stage, and this performance further reinforced her credentials as one of India’s most promising prospects in women’s boxing. Her next challenge, however, will be of the highest order. She is set to face Chinese Taipei’s Huang Hsiao-wen in the final—a three-time World Champion and Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist. The clash promises to be one of the marquee contests of the championships.
In the women’s 60kg category, Priya continued India’s impressive run with a clinical performance against Mongolia’s Namuun Monkhor. The Indian boxer maintained control throughout the bout, using sharp combinations and effective footwork to secure a 5-0 unanimous decision victory. Her ability to manage distance and tempo ensured that she never allowed her opponent to settle into the contest.
Priya will now face North Korea’s Un Gyong Won in the final, a bout that is expected to test her adaptability against a different fighting style. However, based on her semifinal showing, she enters the title clash with confidence and rhythm firmly on her side.
Arundhati Choudhary added to India’s strong showing in the women’s 70kg division, registering a composed 4-1 win over Uzbekistan’s Oysha Toirova. Unlike the one-sided victories in other categories, Arundhati’s bout demanded greater tactical discipline. She responded by maintaining control in key exchanges, picking her moments effectively, and ensuring she stayed ahead on the judges’ scorecards.
Her progression to the final sets up a clash with Kazakhstan’s Bakyt Seidish, where Arundhati will look to convert her consistency into a gold medal performance.
While the day brought multiple positives, there were also setbacks for some of India’s experienced campaigners. In the women’s 65kg category, Ankushita Boro’s semifinal bout against Chinese Taipei’s Nien-Chin Chen was affected by unusual circumstances. Following a power outage after the first round, the contest was decided on points, with Ankushita going down 0-3. The disruption added an element of unpredictability, but Chen’s early advantage ultimately proved decisive.
In the 51kg category, Nikhat Zareen faced a tough challenge against China’s Wu Yu, the reigning Olympic champion. Despite her experience and pedigree, Nikhat was unable to match Wu Yu’s precision and control, going down 0-5 in a one-sided contest.
Win Exciting Prizes by Playing Sports Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
Lovlina Borgohain, competing in the 75kg division, also bowed out after a 0-5 defeat to Uzbekistan’s Aziza Zokirova. Known for her aggressive style, Zokirova imposed herself early in the bout, limiting Lovlina’s ability to settle into her rhythm.
Similarly, Pooja Rani exited the competition in the 80kg category after a 0-5 loss to Kazakhstan’s Nadezhda Ryabets, an experienced international campaigner with a strong record at the World Championships.
Despite these setbacks, India’s overall campaign remains highly encouraging. With three confirmed finalists—Preeti, Priya, and Arundhati—and additional semifinal bouts still to come in the 48kg and 57kg categories, the team has already secured multiple medals and remains in contention for more.
The performances in Ulaanbaatar reflect a broader trend in Indian women’s boxing—a shift towards depth, consistency, and the ability to compete across multiple weight divisions. While established names continue to anchor the squad, emerging boxers like Preeti and Priya are increasingly stepping up on the continental stage.
For Preeti in particular, the road ahead represents both a challenge and an opportunity. A victory in the final against Huang Hsiao-wen would not only secure gold but also mark a significant milestone in her career, elevating her status in international boxing.
As the championships move towards the final stages, India’s focus will be on converting semifinal dominance into gold medal finishes. The combination of experienced campaigners and rising talent has already delivered results, but the ultimate measure will lie in how the team performs in the title bouts.
With momentum on their side and confidence growing, India’s women boxers head into the finals with a clear objective to translate promise into podium-topping performances and reaffirm their position among Asia’s elite boxing nations.
