Indian boxing coach Santiago Nieva expresses satisfaction with the team's performance at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships, viewing medals as a byproduct of hard work. He highlights strong competition and outlines the team's focus on upcoming events like the Asian Games, World Championships, and Olympic qualifiers.
India's 22-member boxing contingent for the 2026 Commonwealth Games experienced a significant setback as nearly half their luggage went missing during their flight from Belfast to Glasgow, leaving several boxers without essential training gear and ceremonial attire days before the competition. This is the second such incident for the team, which still holds high medal expectations despite the logistical issues.
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen failed to secure a spot in the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games after a surprise 1-4 loss to Sakshi Chaudhary in the 51kg category semifinals of India's national boxing trials.
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.
