World Boxing Cup performances help coaches gauge India’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of Worlds
With the selection for the World Championships approaching fast, the Indian boxers’ performance in the second World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan, has helped the coaches assess the situation well.
Following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to recognise a new international federation (World Boxing) in February and retain boxing in the 2028 Olympics, the newly formed body scheduled its first World Championships in Liverpool from September 4 to 14.
Building up to the elite competition, notwithstanding the fact that the Boxing Federation of India is run by an interim committee due to issues over its pending elections, the country’s boxers gave their best in Astana and would hope to gain crucial ranking points.
While two-time World youth champion Sakshi Choudhary (54kg), Olympian Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and multiple National champion Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) secured gold, Meenakshi (48kg) and Olympian Pooja Rani (80kg), who returned to action in the National championships, took silver and Sanju (60kg) claimed a bronze.
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Among men, Abinash Jamwal (65kg), Hitesh Gulia (70 kg), and Jugnoo (85kg) settled for silver, while Nikhil Dubey (75kg) and Narender Berwal (90+kg) got bronze.
While praising the boxers’ performance in quality fields, featuring Olympians and professional boxers from top nations, women’s head coach D. Chandralal said, “We focused on discipline, endurance, and strength. Initially, the girls found it difficult, but later adjusted to it. We are on the right track, but we have a long way to go.
“Nikhat Zareen, Preeti Pawar have joined the camp, Lovlina (Borgohain) will join. Parveen Hooda will complete her doping ban and will join.”
Men’s head coach Dharmendra Yadav expressed satisfaction over some boxers’ showing. “We tried to instil a positive attitude and self-belief in our boxers and focused on endurance. We need to work on a few areas,” said Yadav.
Yadav informed that Worlds medallists Amit Panghal and Deepak Bhoria might not make it to the selection evaluation for the Worlds because of their recent performances. Of two other Worlds medallists, Mohammed Hussamuddin is on the path of recovery while Nishant Dev, who turned professional in the USA, may return to the National fold later.
