India's Women Boxers Gear Up for Asian Championships 2026 in Mongolia

As the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 approaches, India's women's boxing team, under the guidance of coach Santiago Nieva, is gearing up for a competitive showdown in Mongolia. With a strong contingent led by Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain and world champion Nikhat Zareen, the team is focused on securing medals. Nieva highlights the challenges of acclimatizing to Mongolia's altitude and cold weather, while also expressing confidence in the team's preparation. Following a successful outing in Spain, the boxers are motivated and ready to face tough opponents. The stakes are high, as winners will qualify for the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 27, 2026, 18:07 IST

Preparation for the Asian Boxing Championships

Guwahati, March 27: As the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 is set to kick off in Mongolia on March 28, Santiago Nieva, the head coach for India's women's boxing team, expressed optimism regarding the team's readiness while recognizing the formidable competition they will face.

In a recent discussion prior to the event, Nieva noted that Asia has become the leading region in boxing over the past few years.

“In the last decade, Asia has made significant strides and is now the top region in boxing. Previously, Europe was the dominant force in Olympic medals, but that has shifted,” he remarked.

The Indian team, consisting of 20 members and led by Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen, aims to secure a substantial number of medals at this continental championship.

When asked about India's chances, Nieva acknowledged the team's solid preparation but remained wary of the strong competition.

“We are confident in our team, but we are aware of the strength of other nations. At the Olympics, Uzbekistan's men's team and China's women's team were particularly impressive. We are well-prepared to confront the toughest rivals and are hopeful for a successful medal tally, including golds,” he stated.

The Indian squad has been training in Mongolia for nearly two weeks as part of their preparation.

“The training camp has been very effective. We have completed our second sparring phase and have one more session to go. Additionally, we have engaged in joint training with teams from Thailand, Jordan, China, and Mongolia, which has provided excellent exposure,” he added.

Nieva pointed out the challenges posed by the local environment, particularly the higher altitude and colder temperatures.

“The altitude is greater and the weather is significantly colder than in India. The boxers are adapting well, performing strongly, and showing noticeable improvement. Arriving early has greatly aided in acclimatization,” he explained.

Regarding the most challenging aspect of the camp, he mentioned, “One of the biggest hurdles has been adjusting to these varying conditions, especially the altitude and climate. However, it is also one of the most thrilling aspects as it pushes the athletes beyond their comfort zones.”

India enters the championship following a successful performance at the BOXAM Elite International 2026 in Spain, where the team secured nine gold medals.

“The overall atmosphere is very encouraging. The boxers are motivated, focused, and consistently improving. There is a strong sense of readiness within the team,” Nieva remarked.

The champions of the Asian Championships will gain direct qualification for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games scheduled for later this year.

Nieva, who previously served as India's high-performance director from 2017 to 2021, resumed his role as head coach of the women's team in November 2025, marking the beginning of a new Olympic cycle.

In addition to Lovlina in the 75kg category, Assam's Ankushita Boro in the 65kg division is also part of the Indian team.