Olympic medallist Lovlina headlines first-ever combined senior boxing nationals

Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain will be among the biggest names in action as the Senior National Boxing championships for men and women will be held simultaneously for the first time, and set to start from December 31 at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida.

Lovlina, who is currently training at the SAI Centre in Guwahati, is set to headline a packed field when India’s premier domestic boxing event kicks off in a historic first that brings the country’s top male and female pugilists under one roof.

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Services will defend their men’s National Championship title, while Railways look to retain the women’s Team Championship. The official draw on December 30 will formally begin India’s next high-performance cycle leading into major international competitions.

In a statement, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) outlined the format and eligibility criteria, “Units from across the country will compete across 10 weight categories each for men and women, in full compliance with World Boxing Technical & Competition Rules. Each unit is permitted to field one boxer per category, with no reserves allowed.”

All bouts will follow the international structure of three rounds of three minutes each, with a one-minute break between rounds, and will be judged using the 10-point must system.

BFI President Ajay Singh emphasised the importance of the championships in shaping India’s next generation of stars. “Strong systems are the backbone of long-term success, and the National Championships are where that system truly begins. This stage creates opportunity, reveals talent, and gives every boxer a fair pathway into the national camp.”

“Our recent success at the World Boxing Cup Finals proved how powerful this can be. As we prepare for the challenges ahead, these championships will be crucial in identifying and preparing the athletes who can carry our hopes forward.”

The Nationals have long served as a launchpad for elite Indian boxers. World Boxing Cup Finals gold medallists Sachin Siwach and Hitesh Gulia first claimed national titles here, while reigning World Champions Minakshi and Jaismine also rose through this platform.