Lakshya Chahar continued the Services Sports Control Board’s (SSCB) stellar performance at the 8th elite men’s national boxing championship, with a dominant display on Day 3, reinforcing his unit’s bid to retain their title in the prestigious tournament being held at Bareilly.
Following in the footsteps of Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh, World Championship bronze medallist boxer Nishant Dev has switched to professional boxing, bidding adieu to his amateur career, during which he featured in last year’s Paris Olympics.
Shiva Thapa, the reigning welterweight (60-65kg) champion from the previous edition, kicked off his title defence at the 8th elite men’s national boxing championship with a commanding victory on the second day of the tournament being held at Bareilly.
Indian officials will have representation across all key commissions, ensuring a decisive voice in policy-making and strategic direction. This includes BFI secretary general, Hemanta Kumar Kalita, who will have a key voice as part of the Olympic Commission and BFI treasurer, Digvijay Singh, who will officiate as part of the Finance and Audit Committee.
India’s star professional boxer Mandeep Jangra is gearing up for the NBA lightweight world title. He is the first Indian boxer to be in the ring for the world title, and is just one win away from giving India its first world title belt.
In the 50kg category, Services Divash Katare triumphed over Punjab’s Gagandeep in a dominating 5-0 win. He will now go head-to-head against home favourite Loma Riang of Arunachal Pradesh in the semis.
The other four gold medals winners for Haryana were Priya (57kg), Muskan (75kg), Pranjal Yadav (70kg) and Tanu (54kg).
Two-time Asian junior champion Nikita Chand (60kg) secured a hard fought 5:2 win on points against Sakshi of Haryana and made her way to the semi-finals.
SSCB pugilists finished at the top of the table with 13 medals, including 9 Gold, 2 silver and bronze medals and also claimed team championship trophy with 85 points,.
The sport of boxing faces the prospect of being dropped from the sports programme of next year's Olympic Games in Paris if a free and fair qualification programme could not be held if required technical officials, referees and judges could not be arranged after the International Boxing Association (IBA) threatened officials with strict action if officiated in the IOC conducted the programme.
