The opening day of the 6th Elite Women's and 7th Elite Men's National Boxing Championships in Shillong delivered a mix of predictable dominance and surprising grit. While seasoned campaigners like Pooja Rani and Jadumani Singh registered commanding victories, Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and former world championship silver medallist Amit Panghal were pushed hard by determined opponents.
Seasoned Stars Face Unexpected Resistance
In a result that underscored the rising depth in Indian boxing, Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) was made to work for her victory. Competing for the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), Lovlina faced a spirited challenge from Haryana's Ragini. Despite the tough fight, Lovlina's experience and technical prowess ultimately saw her through to the next round.
A similar story unfolded in the men's flyweight (51kg) category. The highly decorated Amit Panghal, representing Services, encountered fierce resistance from Maharashtra's Rahul. Panghal, a silver medallist at the 2019 World Championships and a Commonwealth Games champion, had to dig deep to secure his win and advance in the prestigious tournament.
Commanding Performances from Other Champions
In stark contrast, other established names enjoyed relatively smooth passage. Pooja Rani (81kg), the Asian champion, showcased her class with a comprehensive victory over Madhya Pradesh's Kavita. The bout was stopped by the referee, declaring Rani the winner by Referee Stopping Contest (RSC).
Services boxer Jadumani Singh (57kg) also delivered a dominant performance. He overpowered his opponent from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rohit, forcing an RSC verdict to march into the next stage of the competition.
The day also saw other notable winners. In the women's section, Nupur (75kg) of Haryana and Rashmika (66kg) of Karnataka secured their places in the pre-quarterfinals. The men's draw witnessed victories for Vikas (71kg) of RSPB and Abhishek (80kg) of Delhi.
Looking Ahead in the National Championships
The challenging opening bouts for stars like Lovlina and Panghal signal that the Senior National Boxing Championships are witnessing increased competitiveness across the board. The event, which runs until January 21st at the SAI Centre in Shillong, is a crucial platform for boxers to stake their claim for future international assignments. The early scares for top seeds will serve as a reminder that no victory can be taken for granted, setting the stage for an intensely competitive tournament ahead. All eyes will now be on how the elite boxers adapt and respond in their subsequent matches.
