Indian Men's Boxing Team Set for World Boxing Cup in Brazil
Indian Boxers Prepare for World Boxing Cup
Narender Berwal, a bronze medalist from the Asian Games, will lead a 10-member squad representing India at the inaugural World Boxing Cup in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, commencing this Monday.
This event marks the first competition organized by World Boxing since it gained provisional recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in February, alongside the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
While both men's and women's competitions are scheduled, India has only sent male athletes due to the conclusion of the women's National Championships just last Thursday. This tournament will also be the first international outing for Indian boxers in the newly established weight categories by World Boxing.
Boxers who secured the top two positions in each weight class at the National Championships held in January have traveled to Brazil for a week-long training camp.
The reigning national champions, except for Sumit (85kg) who is currently unfit, are set to compete, aiming to secure at least six medals.
Notably absent from the team are professional boxers Nishant Dev and Amit Panghal, as well as veteran Shiva Thapa and Deepak Bhoria, the latter being a bronze medalist at the 2023 World Championships who participated in the Paris Olympic qualifiers.
This tournament will be the first opportunity for elite Indian boxers to compete internationally since the Paris Olympics.
Two boxers have advanced directly to the semi-finals, while others require just one victory to reach that stage.
On the opening day, Lakshya Chahar will be the sole Indian competitor, facing 2023 World Championship middleweight silver medalist Wanderley Pereira of Brazil in the 80kg pre-quarterfinals.
Other Indian boxers, Sachin (60kg) and Vishal (90kg), have received byes in the first round and will proceed directly to the semi-finals. Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (50kg) must defeat last year's World Boxing Cup silver medalist Ellis Trowbridge from Great Britain to secure a semi-final spot.
Nikhil Dubey (75kg) could also advance to the semi-finals with a win against local favorite Kaue Belini, while Narender will compete against Kazak's Daniyal Saparbay in the quarter-finals.
Manish Kumar (55kg), Abhinav Jamwal (65kg), and Hitesh (70kg) have also received byes for the opening round.
Manish is expected to face either Paris Olympian Yusuif Chothia from Australia or USA newcomer Orlando Zamora in the second round, while Jamwal will take on Denis Bril from Germany.
The six-day tournament will host over 130 boxers, including Olympians, from 19 countries such as Australia, France, England, Germany, Kazakhstan, the USA, and Uzbekistan.
Indian Team Roster
Jadumani S Mandengbam (50kg), Manish Rathore (55kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), Abhinash Jamwal (65kg), Hitesh (70kg), Nikhil Dubey (75kg), Lakshya Chahar (80kg), Jugnoo (85kg), Vishal (90kg), Narender Berwal (90+kg).