The 20-member Indian squad will compete in the Asian Boxing Championships in Mongolia from March 28 to April 11 under the direction of Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen.
After a rigorous month-long examination process, the roster was finalized, and players joined the current national camp in Patiala after the January National Championships.The selection rules states that direct admissions for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games shall be awarded to the Asian Boxing Championship finalists in the authorized weight categories.
This continental championship is important since it provides a chance to win a medal and a vital route to qualify for the next multi-sport competitions.A well-rounded team that combines experience and up-and-coming talent is completed by additional categories such as World Boxing Cup Final gold medallist Nikhat Zareen (51 kg), Ankushita Boro (65 kg), Pooja Rani (80 kg), and Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan (80+ kg).
In the men’s category, World Boxing Cup Final and Boxam Championship gold medallist Sachin (60kg) leads the team.
He is accompanied by silver medallist Deepak (70 kg), Ankush (80 kg), and Akash (75 kg), who also took home the gold in Spain.
Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (55 kg), a bronze medallist in Spain and a silver medallist in the World Boxing Finals, is also on the team.
The lineup is completed by Vishwanath Suresh (50 kg), Aditya Pratap Yadav (65 kg), Lokesh (85 kg), Harsh Choudhary (90 kg), and Narender (90+ kg).The Asian Championships are a real litmus test for excellence and reliability. We have concentrated on choosing boxers who have demonstrated discipline, form, and the capacity to perform well under duress. BFI President Ajay Singh stated, "We are confident that this group can compete strongly against the best in Asia."
Head coaches Santiago Nieva (for women) and CA Kuttappa (for men) oversaw the evaluations, and support personnel kept a careful eye on camp preparations.
In addition to consistently placing in the top three at the World Championships and World Boxing Cup, the squad enters the competition having won nine gold medals at the Boxam Elite in Spain, the most of any participating nation.
Men: 50 kg Vishwanath Suresh, 55 kg Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, 60 kg Sachin, 65 kg Aditya Pratap Yadav, 70 kg Deepak, 75 kg Akash, 80 kg Ankush, 85 kg Lokesh, 90 kg Harsh Choudhary, and 90+ kg Narender.
Women: Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan (80+kg), Minakshi (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Preeti (54kg), Jaismine (57kg), Priya (60kg), Ankushita Boro (65kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), and Pooja Rani (80kg).