Indian boxers will compete in the Asian Championships, beginning here on Monday, aiming to achieve a strong performance and secure direct berths for major multi-sport events later this year.
This tournament marks a significant event in a busy season, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (July-August), the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (September-October), and the World Boxing Cup Finals in Uzbekistan.
Beyond the pursuit of medals, this championship holds added importance as finalists will earn direct qualification for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, in line with the Boxing Federation of India's selection policy.
The Indian team has been training in Mongolia for the past 15 days, participating in multinational camps and sparring with boxers from Mongolia, China, Jordan, and Thailand.
The women's team will be led by Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg), reigning world champions Minakshi Hooda (48kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg).
While Lovlina comes in after a gold-winning effort at the Boxam International in Spain in February, Zareen, Hooda, and Jaismine will be competing internationally for the first time since November.
"These Asian Championships will be a strong test. We know that Asian boxing has improved over the last decade, and many of the world's strongest teams are in Asia," said women's head coach Santiago Nieva.
"We are targeting several medals, but it is also important for us to have people in the final. Having a gold medal makes a big difference."
In the women's draw, Preeti Pawar will face Kazakhstan's Elina Bazarova in the 54kg category, while Priya will face Kazakh boxer Rimma Volossenko in 60 kg.
Minakshi will face Japan's Yuka Sadamatasu, while Pooja Rani will face Kazakhstan's Nadezhda Ryabets.
Zareen, Jaismine, Ankushita Boro, Arundhati Choudhary, Borgohain, and Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan have received byes in the first round.
While the women are expected to perform well, the men's team needs to improve after a disappointing World Championships campaign last year, where the male boxers failed to win a medal for the first time in 12 years.
There has also been a change in the coaching setup, with C.A. Kuttappa returning as head coach for a third stint.
The men's squad will rely on World Cup medallists Jadumani Singh, who has bulked up from 50kg to 55kg, and Sachin Siwach (60kg), along with Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal.
However, Hitesh Gulia (70kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (65kg), who impressed last year, will not be participating, with Deepak and reigning national champion Aditya Pratap earning selection in their place.
Vishvanath Suresh (50kg) will open his campaign against Bekzat Ergeshov, while Jadumani will face top-ranked Japanese Rui Yamaguchi in a tough 55 kg bout.
Sachin will take on local favourite Buyandalai Bayarkhuu, while Aditya will face Saudi Arabia's Mouda Alhawsaw.
Ankush and Narender will progress with byes.
The tournament will feature several Olympic medallists and rising stars from across the continent.
Among the standout names are China's Olympic champion Wu Yu, alongside Chinese Taipei's historic gold medallist Lin Yu-ting and Kazakhstan’s Olympic silver medallist Nurbek Oralbay.
Kazakhstan will field a strong team featuring Makhmud Sabyrkhan, Aibek Oralbay, and Valentina Khalzova, while Uzbekistan’s next generation of Olympians, including Sabina Bobokulova, Nigina Uktamova, and Sitora Turdibekova, add further depth to the competition.
Jordan's experienced trio of Olympians Hussein Iashaish, Obada Al-Kasbeh, and Zeyad Eashash will also take to the ring, alongside Japan’s Olympic bronze medallist Tsukimi Namiki and Olympian Sewon Okazawa.