Boxing Stars Withdraw from National Championships, The Women’s National Boxing Championships 2025 has taken a hit as two of India’s top female boxers, Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen, have withdrawn from the tournament. The event, set to begin on March 21, was expected to feature some of the country’s best talents, but ongoing disputes within the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) have led to uncertainty in participation. Despite their absence, Commonwealth Games medallists Nitu Ghanghas and Jaismine will headline the competition, which will feature 188 boxers from 24 state federations across 10 weight categories. However, officials anticipate a number of walkovers as some state teams have yet to confirm their arrival.
Boxing Stars Withdraw from National Championships BFI Disputes Cause Uncertainty
The Boxing Federation of India has been facing internal conflicts, leading several state federations to boycott the tournament. Assam, Lovlina’s home state, is among those refusing to participate, which forced the Olympic bronze medallist to withdraw. The exact reason for Nikhat Zareen’s absence remains unclear, but she will still attend the opening ceremony alongside Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha. A BFI official told PTI:
“We have completed the draws based on the received entries, but due to the ongoing disputes, some teams might not show up, and several bouts may end in walkovers.”
Top Contenders in the Tournament
While Lovlina and Nikhat’s absence is a setback, several top Indian boxers will still compete, making the event highly competitive. Some key names to watch out for include:
- Jaismine (57kg)
- Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) – World Champion and CWG gold medallist
- Sakshi (54kg) – Two-time World Youth Champion
- Poonam Poonia (57kg) – Former National Champion
- Simranjit Kaur (65kg) – 2018 World Championship Bronze Medallist
- Sonia Lather (60kg) – Former World Championship Medallist
- Anamika (51kg)
In the heavier categories, Olympian Pooja Rani (Haryana) and Strandja Memorial silver medallist Anupama (RSPB) will be competing in the 80kg division, making for an exciting contest.
New Talent Looks to Shine
With some of India’s biggest boxing names missing from the tournament, young and upcoming boxers will have a chance to make their mark. Some promising challengers include:
- Pema Bhutia (Sikkim)
- Preeti (All India Police)
- Kalaivani S (Tamil Nadu) – Former Nationals Medallist
These athletes will be looking to take advantage of the opportunity and prove themselves at the national level.
Conclusion
The absence of Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen is a major setback for the Women’s National Championships, but the tournament still promises high-level competition. With a mix of experienced champions and rising stars, the event will showcase India’s growing strength in women’s boxing. However, the ongoing issues within BFI could impact the sport’s future if not resolved soon.
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