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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Indian boxers chase the heavyweight dream
New Delhi: Earlier this month, Indian boxers returned from the second leg of World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan with a haul of 11 medals, including three gold. While the majority of podium finishes were expectedly secured by the lightweight and middleweight boxers, the heavyweight pugilists punched above their weight as well, winning a total of four medals — two each in men's and women's divisions. Nupur Sheoran (left) in action at the World Boxing Cup in Astana. (BFI) The numbers may not jump out just yet, but it's a start nevertheless considering all of India's three Olympic medals have come in lighter weights. It's worth noting that in the last three Olympics, only a solitary Indian boxer — Satish Kumar (+91kg) — could qualify in the heavier weights. After the misbegotten campaign in Paris where the boxing contingent returned empty-handed, things are beginning to look up despite the organisational churn that the boxing federation is going through. Nupur Sheoran's gold in +80kg, Pooja Rani's silver in 80kg, Jugnoo Ahlawat's silver in 85kg, and Narender Berwal's bronze in 90+kg in Astana were preceded by Gaurav Chauhan's (+90kg) gold in Seychelles National Day Tournament last month and Vishal Bataan's bronze (90kg) in the first World Boxing Cup in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil in March-April. Second string 90kg boxers Naman Tanwar and Anshul Gill impressed at the Thailand Open in June where both got the better of their Uzbek opponents with Tanwar going on to win gold, beating China's Asian Games bronze medallist Han Xuezhen in the final. 'It's definitely a big statement. Heavyweight division was not a productive one for India for a while but we are determined to change that,' Nupur, who defeated local favourite Yeldana Talipova in the Astana final, said. Granddaughter of two-time Asian Games heavyweight champion (1966, 1970) Hawa Singh, Nupur has taken upon herself the task of carrying Singh's undeniable legacy forward. 'I feel it's my responsibility. There are no heavyweight superstars in India and I would like to fill that gap,' she added, emphasising on the need for regular international exposure. Narender concurred. 'We need to play much more internationally. I feel we are not too far behind technically as compared to Uzbeks, Kazakhs and Americans, but we do lack the power punches. And that is also down to protein deficiency at the growth stage,' the 2023 Asian Games bronze medallist (+92kg) said. At 6'5' and weighing 110 kgs, Narender is a veritable man-mountain who likes to use his reach, but most world beaters in his weight class weigh upwards of 120kgs. 'It's tough to put on that kind of muscle. We (Indians) are built differently, but that doesn't mean we can't beat them,' he said. Narender has been in the senior circuit for about 12 years and doesn't recall being challenged a lot at home. He never had a domestic heavyweight to look up to, so unsurprisingly, he feasted on Muhammad Ali's videos. 'I still watch his bouts sometimes,' the 30-year-old said. 'With Satish pursuing his coaching diploma, it's really up to the youngsters to come through and make their mark. Anshul Gill, if groomed well, can go on to do big things,' he added. Senior women's coach D Chandralal believes Indian heavyweights, despite their promise, are still some way off the world's best, technically. 'Strength and endurance can be developed at any age with right scientific guidance and I don't think we are too far behind the curve there, but technical deficiencies take their time to be ironed out,' he said. 'Our heavyweights are still work in progress but we have an exciting bunch to work with. They need to get better at throwing the decisive power punches. I am also working on their footwork. We need to move faster and hit harder,' the coach added. The recent uptick in performance is also down to the diversified pathways to tap talent. While national championships remain the primary feeder, REC Open Talent Hunt and the recently-concluded Elite Women' s Tournament in Telangana have served as talent identification platforms. There was also the inaugural Chief of Army Staff Tournament for men in May while BFI's interim committee is also planning a Federation Cup after this year's World Championships. 'We have identified heavyweight and super heavy as focus areas and the multiple talent ID streams will help us earmark some promising boxers. Unlike the previous cycle, each weight division at the national camp will have at least six boxers which means better sparring,' Colonel Arun Malik, member of BFI's Interim Committee informed.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Boxing Interim Committee bars personal coaches at national camps, pushes centralised training
New Delhi: In a move to strengthen centralised training and maintain consistency across the national boxing programme, the Interim Committee overseeing the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has reinforced its long-standing policy to disallow personal coaches and support staff at official national camps. The directive is aimed at ensuring uniform preparation standards as Indian boxers gear up for major global events, such as the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool in September, followed by the World Boxing Cup Finals in New Delhi this November, and leading up to the Asian Games next year. Drawing lessons from India's Paris 2024 Olympic campaign, the Boxing Interim Committee has reinforced the need for a centralised, high-accountability training system. Introduced three months ago, this structured setup—requiring all national campers to train exclusively under federation-appointed coaches—has already begun to yield results. Both male and female boxers have shown significant progress, with India securing six medals at the World Boxing Cup in Brazil and a record-breaking haul of 11 medals, including three gold medals in the women's categories, at the Astana edition earlier this year. Underlining the strategic importance of a centralised training system, Col. (Retd.) Arun Malik, Executive Director, BFI and Member of the Interim Committee, said, 'The need for a unified, centrally governed training ecosystem is essential. By consolidating our coaching framework, we're able to maintain clear performance benchmarks, ensure real-time progress tracking, and implement timely course corrections where needed. T "his process brings greater discipline, data-driven feedback, and long-term athlete development into focus. Our recent medal tally, including the landmark performance at the World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan, reinforces that a centralised model delivers results. We are committed to strengthening this system to sustain and scale elite-level success.' The national camps are currently being led by head coaches D.S. Yadav (men) and Dr. Chandralal (women), ensuring technical alignment across weight classes and competition formats. The directive underscores a critical shift in Indian boxing, away from fragmented, individual-led preparations and toward a single, united system designed for global impact and excellence. The need for such a system is felt because, many times, the players have shown inclination to follow the style, methods, and approach of the coach, which may not be aligned with those proposed by the national coach.
United News of India
09-07-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Boxing Interim Committee pushes centralised training
New Delhi, July 9 (UNI) In a move to strengthen centralised training and maintain consistency across the national boxing programme, the Interim Committee overseeing the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and the functioning of the sport in the country has reinforced its long-standing policy disallowing personal coaches and support staff at official national camps. The directive is aimed at ensuring uniform preparation standards as Indian boxers gear up for major global events, such as the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool in September followed by the World Boxing Cup Finals in New Delhi this November and leading up to the Asian Games next year. Drawing key lessons from India's Paris 2024 Olympic campaign, the Boxing Interim Committee has reinforced the need for a centralised, high-accountability training system. Introduced three months ago, this structured setup- requiring all national campers to train exclusively under federation-appointed coaches- has already begun to yield results. Both male and female boxers have shown significant progress, with India securing six medals at the World Boxing Cup in Brazil and a record-breaking haul of 11 medals, including three golds in the women's categories, at the Astana edition earlier this year. Underlining the strategic importance of a centralised training system, Col. (Retd.) Arun Malik, Executive Director, BFI and Member of the Interim Committee, said, 'the need for a unified, centrally governed training ecosystem is essential. By consolidating our coaching framework, we're able to maintain clear performance benchmarks, ensure real-time progress tracking, and implement timely course corrections where needed. This process brings greater discipline, data-driven feedback, and long-term athlete development into focus. Our recent medal tally, including the landmark performance at the World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan reinforces that a centralised model delivers results. We are committed to strengthening this system to sustain and scale elite-level success.' The national camps are currently being led by head coaches D.S. Yadav (men) and Dr. Chandralal (women), ensuring technical alignment across weight classes and competition formats. The directive underscores a critical shift in Indian boxing, away from fragmented, individual-led preparations and toward a single, united system designed for global impact and excellence. UNI RKM
India Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Indian boxers return home after historic medal haul
Despite India's best-ever performance at the World Boxing Cup in Kazakhstan — with multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals — there was no media, no applause, no crowd at the airport. A viral video of the boxers walking out quietly has sparked one question online: why the silence? #IndianBoxing #WorldBoxingCup #BoxingChampions #Kazakhstan202 #WomenInSports #IndiaSportsNews #Sports
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Hawa Singh's grandchild packs a punch, wins gold
Nupur is daughter of Indian boxing legend Hawa Singh. (BFI) New Delhi: At the home of the Sheorans in Bhiwani, there is a photograph of boxer Nupur, then eighteen months old, sitting in the lap of her grandmother Angoori Devi and flanked by her grandfather, Captain Hawa Singh, the Indian boxing legend who won consecutive Asian Games gold medals in 1966 and 1970. Nupur has no memory of her grandfather, who passed away soon after that picture was taken. But she grew up listening to her grandfather's exploits, in an environment where life revolved around the sport. Her father, Sanjay Singh, a former international boxer, and mother Mukesh, an Asian medallist for India in basketball, regaled young Nupur with tales of her grandfather's swift punches and calm demeanour. Now 26 and standing six-foot tall in the ring, mirroring her grandfather's towering presence, Nupur displayed her indomitable spirit at the World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan. It was like Hawa Singh's legacy thundering back to life through Nupur's fists. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! On Sunday, she faced Kazakhstan's Yeldana Talipova in the +80 kg category final. The opening round saw her falter, the home crowd's roar fuelling Talipova's aggression. But Nupur, with the poise similar to her grandfather, turned the tide. Her footwork sharpened, her punches landed with precision, and her strategy outwitted her opponent in rounds two and three. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Public Speaking Course for Children Planet Spark Book Now Undo The unanimous 5:0 verdict was a testament to her dominance. As she stood on the podium, gold around her neck, Nupur's victory felt like a bridge between eras, connecting a granddaughter's triumph to her grandfather's storied past. 'I never saw him fight, but I feel him in every jab I throw. This gold is for him and for every girl in Bhiwani who was at some point told boxing isn't for her,' she said. Nupur's gold capped off a medal-laden tournament for India. With 11 medals – three gold, five silver, and three bronze – India secured a second-place finish, marking their best-ever haul at the prestigious event. Besides Nupur, Sakshi Chaudhary (women's 54 kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (women's 57 kg) were the gold-medal winners. Jugnoo (men's 85kg), Pooja Rani (women's 80kg), Hitesh Gulia (men's 70kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (men's 65kg) won silver medals. Sanju (women's 60kg), Nikhil Dubey (men's 75kg) and Narender (men's 90+ kg) won a bronze each. It was Sakshi's opening gold that set the tone for the day. The 24-year-old twotime youth world champion, who trained at the famed Bhiwani Boxing Club (BBC) under noted coach Jagdish Singh, has now set her sights on the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool from Sept 4-14. 'I can do better,' Sakshi said after her win. 'The signs are positive, but I have to keep pushing. I want to use this win as motivation going forward.' Jaismine, 23, brought a different flavor to India's campaign. Tall (5 feet 9 inches) and composed, her long reach and counter-attacking style have earned her a reputation as a thinker in the ring. Against Brazil's Jucielen Cequeira Romeu in the final, Jaismine faced a gruelling test. The first two rounds were neckand-neck. But in the final round, Jaismine's strategy shone. The 4:1 verdict was a nod to her composure under pressure, a gold that symbolized triumph over doubt — in the ring and beyond. For Jaismine, the gold was the culmination of a deep, strategic transformation. The turning point came after her campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she exited in the Round of 32. Though in her first Olympics, the outcome left her with a burning desire to improve. What followed was more than five months of intense selfreinvention – not just in the gym, but in her mindset. Jaismine immersed herself in strength and conditioning, focusing on building stamina, muscle endurance and the ability to land high-impact punches in crunch situations. 'I knew I had to be more than just being aggressive, I had to become smarter,' Jaismine said after her win in Astana. 'Not just attack, but think on the move and deliver when stakes are high.' Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
