World Championship bronze medallist Pooja Rani and India international Jadumani Singh recorded comfortable victories on Tuesday, while Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and former Commonwealth Games champion Amit Panghal were taken to close decisions at the Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships.
The championships, being held at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida, mark the first time the men’s and women’s national events are being conducted simultaneously at the same venue. More than 600 boxers are competing across 10 weight categories each in the men’s and women’s divisions.
Haryana’s Pooja Rani, competing in the 75–80kg category, defeated Chandigarh’s Anju by a unanimous 5–0 decision. Jadumani Singh (50–55kg) forced a referee stoppage in the second round against R. Parthiban of Tamil Nadu after dominating the bout.
Lovlina Borgohain was pushed hard by Assam’s Saweety before prevailing 3–2 in a split decision. In the men’s competition, Amit Panghal (50–55kg), representing the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), edged Haryana’s Priyanshu by a similar 3–2 margin.
Several prominent boxers are competing at the championships, including reigning world champion Jaismine, former world champion Nitu Ghanghas, and Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar in the women’s section. The men’s field includes World Boxing Cup Finals gold medallists Hitesh and Sachin, silver medallist Abhinash Jamwal, and Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal.
Each state association has entered up to 10 men and 10 women boxers. Athletes who competed at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Noida in November 2025 were granted direct entry into the championships.
Boxers born between Jan. 1, 1985, and Dec. 31, 2006, are eligible to compete. Medallists in Olympic weight categories will be invited to the national training camp, while only gold and silver medallists from non-Olympic categories will be selected.
(IANS)
