India’s leading boxers began their campaigns on a confident note at the Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships, with world champions Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi, Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, and Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal all progressing with convincing victories at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida.
The ongoing championships mark a significant milestone for Indian boxing, as it is the first time the senior men’s and women’s national championships are being held simultaneously at the same venue. Around 600 boxers from across the country are competing, spread across 10 weight categories each for men and women, making it one of the largest domestic boxing events in recent years.
Among the headline bouts on Monday, two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (48–51 kg), representing Telangana, delivered a composed and clinical performance to defeat Nidhi of Chandigarh by a unanimous 5–0 decision. Nikhat controlled the ring from the opening bell, using her footwork and sharp counters to keep her opponent at bay throughout the contest.
World champion Minakshi (45–48kg) was equally dominant in her opening bout, blanking V Lakshaya S Vijayan of Tamil Nadu by an identical 5–0 scoreline. Minakshi’s timing and movement stood out as she dictated the pace and never allowed her opponent to settle.
In the women’s 70–75 kg category, Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain showed why she remains one of India’s most consistent performers on the national stage. Lovlina secured a comfortable unanimous decision win over Krisha Verma, controlling exchanges with her reach and experience to close out the bout without difficulty.
The men’s competition also saw several one-sided encounters. In the 47–50 kg category, Sagar registered a dominant 5–0 win over Ashutosh, while Sumit (70–75kg) outboxed Arshpreet Singh by the same margin. Promising youngster Hitesh (65–70 kg) continued his rise with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Ankit, displaying sharp combinations and ring awareness.
Other notable results included Sachin (55–60kg) defeating Tushar 5–0, and Ankush (50–55kg) overcoming Suraj Bhan, again by a unanimous verdict, underlining the depth of talent on display in the men’s field.
The championships had begun a day earlier with another big-name boxer making a strong statement. Amit Panghal, the 2018 Asian Games gold medallist representing SSCB, opened his campaign in style on Sunday. Competing in the bantamweight category, Amit dominated Usman Mohd Sultan of Bihar, earning a unanimous decision through superior speed, accuracy and ring control.
In contrast, the heavyweight bout involving Sagar of Haryana proved to be a tougher test. Facing Edwin of Kerala, Sagar was pushed hard before eventually securing a split decision win, showing resilience and composure under pressure.
Another noteworthy performance on the opening day came from Lalrambuat of Mizoram, who registered a unanimous decision victory over Santosh Kumar of Odisha in the bantamweight division, adding to the competitive early rounds of the tournament.
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With several leading names already advancing and a packed schedule ahead, the Elite National Championships are shaping up to be a crucial platform for boxers aiming to stake their claim ahead of upcoming international assignments. As the competition progresses, attention will remain firmly on how India’s established stars and emerging prospects navigate the demanding field in Greater Noida.
