Make-or-break boxing nationals

The men’s national meet will be vital for pugilists from country ahead of Olympic qualification events in 2024

- ANMOL GURUNG

IN the all-important Hangzhou Asian Games, Indian boxers had a mixed outing. While the women pugilists did well to earn four Olympic quotas, their men's counterpart put up a subdued show to return with just one medal and no quota.

Nearly two months since those Games, the focus now turns to the upcoming national championships (November 25 to December 1) in Shillong. Having missed out in China, the event in Shillong will be vital for the male fighters ahead of crucial events in 2024.

Given the significance of this domestic event, the elite including Shiva Thapa (63.5kg) and Amit Panghal (51kg) are set to feature in it. The aforementioned names have a rich trophy cabinet. However, they are walking on a tightrope as things stand. With cut-throat competition for places in each weight category, the two can't afford a slip-up. Shiva, despite his experience, had lost his very first bout during the aforementioned Asiad while Panghal had failed to make the cut in the team. Tokyo Olympian Ashish Kumar (80kg) and 2021