Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen lost 1-4 to Sakshi Chaudhary in the semifinals of boxing selection trials for the CWG and Asian Games, citing a "torturous" two-week build-up due to administrative issues between BFI and SAI.
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen lost 1-4 to Sakshi Chaudhary in the women's 51kg semifinal at India's boxing selection trials for the CWG and Asian Games, citing a 'torturous' two-week build-up due to administrative issues between BFI and SAI.
Indian boxing faces administrative chaos as the Sports Authority of India (SAI) halts selection trials for upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games. A dispute over transparency in evaluation criteria, selection committees, and coach appointments has stalled preparations. Boxers who excelled in the unrecognised COAS Cup are now seeking legal recourse for a fair chance.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has commenced its assessment tests for upcoming international events, including the CWG and Asian Games, despite objections from SAI. The BFI insists on the inclusion of head coaches in the selection panel, deeming it crucial for informed, performance-based decisions. Athletes are undergoing rigorous strength and conditioning tests to gauge their readiness for the competition.
India's women's boxing team delivered its best performance since 2019 at the Asian Championships, securing 16 medals including a record number of gold in Olympic weight divisions. Head coach Santiago Nieva praised the consistency between training and competition, while acknowledging areas for improvement ahead of the CWG and Asian Games. The coach expressed confidence in seasoned boxers Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain despite their early exits, noting Zareen's potential to defeat Olympic champion Wu Yu. Young talent Priya Ghanghas emerged as a standout, winning gold in the 60kg Olympic category.
