The 7th Elite Women's Senior National Boxing Championships in Shillong witnessed a powerful start from India's top pugilists on its opening day of competition. Reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen, Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, and the in-form Minakshi delivered commanding performances, sailing into the next round with ease.
Star-Studded Opening Day in Shillong
Held at the SAI Centre in Shillong, Meghalaya, the prestigious national tournament saw a flurry of action on Wednesday. The event, which runs until December 27, is a crucial platform for boxers to stake their claim for future international assignments. The opening day was headlined by the dominant displays from the country's most celebrated women boxers, who faced little resistance from their opponents.
Nikhat Zareen's Commanding Victory
Competing in the highly competitive 50kg category, Nikhat Zareen from Telangana made a strong statement. She faced Haryana's Prachi in her opening bout and secured a comprehensive 5-0 unanimous decision victory. The two-time world champion showcased her technical superiority and experience, controlling the contest from the outset to advance smoothly.
Minakshi and Lovlina Join the Charge
In the 48kg category, Services boxer Minakshi, fresh off her gold medal at the 2023 Asian Championships, continued her impressive form. She outclassed Tamil Nadu's M. Kalaivani with another dominant 5-0 unanimous verdict. Her speed and precision were too much for her opponent to handle.
Meanwhile, Assam's boxing star Lovlina Borgohain, a Tokyo Olympic medallist, also began her campaign on a winning note. Competing in the 75kg weight class, Borgohain overpowered Himachal Pradesh's Shruti Yadav. The referee was forced to stop the contest in the first round itself, awarding Lovlina a Referee Stopping Contest (RSC) victory, underlining her sheer dominance.
Other Notable Results and Road Ahead
The day also saw victories for other prominent names. Manisha Moun (60kg) and Nupur Sheoran (+81kg) both recorded RSC wins against their respective opponents, Anjali and Sanjana. With the initial hurdles cleared, all eyes will now be on the progression of the top seeds as the tournament moves into more challenging rounds. The performances in Shillong are particularly significant as the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) looks to finalize squads for major upcoming events.
The early exits of some competitors highlight the intense depth of talent at the national level. As Nikhat Zareen, Minakshi, and Lovlina Borgohain march forward, they carry the expectations of the nation, aiming not just for a national title but to cement their places as India's leading boxing ambassadors on the global stage.
