Boxing: Jadumani punches his way to maiden National title; Aditya shocks Abhinash

Greater Noida: Jadumani Singh had a point to prove to the naysayers and the 21-year-old did so in style, winning the 55kg title for his first senior title at the National boxing championships at the Gautam Buddha University on Saturday.

Jadumani got the better of senior pro and sparring partner Pawan Bartwal 5-0 with a flurry of punches and upper cuts to add to his list of big scalps in what is fast shaping up to be the most competitive category in Indian boxing.

He had outplayed two-time Olympian and World championship medallist Amit Panghal in the semifinal.

Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) teammates Pawan and Jadumani matched in both power and endurance. But the youngster from Manipur clearly had planned better, preferring quality over quantity and landing fewer but more scoring punches.

Himachal youngster Abhinash Jamwal, however, was upset by Aditya Pratap of SSCB in the 65kg category final, one of the nine golds the team won in the men’s section.

Abhinash, with several impressive international outings through 2025 under his belt, had the upper hand early on but was soon unable to match his opponent’s aggression and skills, losing 2-3 in a close bout.

Interestingly, Aditya had knocked out Abhinash in their previous meeting during the REC combined national talent hunt programme in 2024.

The women’s section was more on the predictable lines with all but one bout decided by unanimous decisions in favour of the favourite.

Nikhat Zareen came out top in a messy, physical bout with Nitu Ghanghas in 51kg while Minakshi Hooda retained her 48kg title against Manju Rani and Pooja Rani won a record 10th National title in 80kg to extend her dominance.

Lovlina Borgohain beat Sanamacha Chanu 5-0 to reign supreme in 75kg.

The results (finals): Men: 50kg: Vishwanath Suresh (SSCB) bt Rishi Singh (UP) 5-0; 55kg: Jadumani Singh (SSCB) bt Pawan Bartwal (SSCB) 5-0; 60kg: Hussamuddin (SSCB) bt Sachin Siwach (SSCB) 3-2; 65kg: Aditya Pratap (SSCB) bt Abhinash Jamwal (HP) 3-2; 70kg: Hitesh Gulia (SSCB) bt Deepak (SSCB) 3-2; 75kg: Sumit Kundu (SSCB) bt Akash (SSCB) 5-0; 80kg: Ankush (SSCB) bt Malsawmtluanga (SSCB) 5-0; 85kg: Lokesh (SSCB) bt Jugnoo (SSCB) 5-0; 90kg: Harsh Chaudhary (Raj) bt Naman (RSPB) 4-1; 90+kg: Narender (SSCB) bt Sawan Gill (Chd) 5-0.

Women: 48kg: Minakshi Hooda (APISCB) bt Manju Rani (RSPB) 5-0; 51kg: Nikhat Zareen (Tel) bt Nitu Ghanghas (Har) 5-0; 54kg: Preeti Pawar (SSCB) bt Poonam Punia (RSPB) 5-0; 57kg: Prachi (RSPB) bt Vinka (Har) 5-0; 60kg: Priya (RSPB) bt Disha Patil (Mah) 5-0; 65kg: Pranjal Yadav (SSCB) bt Kajal (Utk) 4-1; 70kg: Arundhati Chaudhary (SSCB) bt Sneha (AIPSCB) 5-0; 75kg: Lovlina Borgohain (Asm) bt Sanamacha Chanu (RSPB) 5-0; 80kg: Pooja Rani (Har) bt Naina (Har) 5-0; 80+kg: Alfiya Khan (RSPB) bt Mankirat Kaur (Pun) 5-0.