Preparations for the Indian boxing team have been disrupted by delays in the issuance of UK visas, affecting their training camp in Sheffield ahead of the first-ever World Championships in Liverpool beginning September 4.
While several countries, including Uzbekistan, the United States, Ireland and Poland, have already begun final training under the banner of the new international federation World Boxing, only four of India’s 10 women boxers — Minakshi, Nikhat Zareen, Pooja Rani and Nupur Sheoran — have reached the Sheffield camp.
Women’s head coach D. Chandralal, currently in India due to his role in the Boxing Federation of India elections this week, said he is monitoring the training remotely.
“I want our girls to spar with boxers of heavier or lower weights so that they don’t give away clues to the opponents too early. We’re collecting videos of prospective opponents for our homework,” Chandralal said.
Men’s head coach Dharmendra Yadav is in the UK, but none of the 10 male boxers have been able to travel. Despite the setback, Yadav said the squad is focused on switching into competition mode.
“Now the volume will go down and the intensity will increase. The boxers must learn how to deal with rough rivals,” Yadav said.
Indian boxers had success in recent World Cups in Brazil and Kazakhstan, but the World Championships are expected to present a tougher test.
India’s Squad for the World Boxing Championships 2025
Men: Jadumani Singh (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), Abinash Jamwal (65kg), Hitesh (70kg), Sumit Kundu (75kg), Lakshya Chahar (80kg), Jugnoo (85kg), Harsh Choudhary (90kg), Narender Berwal (90+kg)
Women: Minakshi (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (54kg), Jaismine Lamboriya (57kg), Sanju (60kg), Neeraj Phogat (65kg), Sanamacha Chanu (70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Pooja Rani (80kg), Nupur Sheoran (80+kg)
Leave a comment
Please login to leave a comment.