Meenakshi,Jaismine,Hiteshto headline Natl. Boxing Championships

Most of the top Indian pugilists will be in action when the Elite men’s and women’s national boxing championships, delayed by a few days due to adverse pollution conditions, finally kicks off at the Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida from Saturday.

Among those will be recently-crowned World Champions Meenakshi and Jaismine Lamboria, two-time former world champion Nikhat Zareen, Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain, Nitu Ghanghas and Pooja Rani besides others in women’s section. Among men, World Boxing Cup gold medallists Hitesh Gulia and Sachin Siwach, Abhinash Jamwal, Amit Panghal and veteran Shiva Thapa will headline the competition.

This is the first time men’s and women’s events are being held simultaneously at the same venue. The week-long event, will see participation from 600 boxers across 10 weight categories each in men and women.

The BFI has announced that all medallists in Olympic weight categories and finalists from non-Olympic ones would be included in the national camp post the tournament. Newly appointed women’s head coach Santiago Nieva is also expected to be present at the event.

“The upcoming Nationals provides both established boxers and youngsters a platform to stake claim in the national team ahead of the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games,” BFI president Ajay Singh said.