Emergence of new talent

Growing competition at the domestic level due to the continuous inflow of talented girls is a good sign for women’s boxing in India as it will enhance quality within the country and help India field stronger boxers in various elite international events.

In the absence of Olympic medallists, Lovlina Borgohain and M. C. Mary Kom, the National women’s championships at the St. Joseph’s International School in Hisar witnessed the emergence of several talented boxers who might go on to become the future stars of Indian boxing.

With the important multi-disciplinary events like the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games scheduled next year and the Paris Olympics slated in 2024, the up-andcoming women boxers hold a lot of promise for the country in these marquee events.

If boxing manages to survive the International Olympic Committee’s wrath and stays in Paris 2024, then — as the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) rightly understands — India has a better chance of claiming a few Olympic medals in women’s boxing. The IOC’S stress on greater gender equality is likely to push for more women’s weight categories in Paris. It will effectively increase the chances of women boxers in the mega event.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Proving her worth: Two-time World youth champion Nitu (blue) outsmarted Worlds silver medallist Manju Rani in the 48kg final.