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Key Points

India has named a strong 20-member squad for the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool. Olympic medalists Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain lead the women's contingent alongside Pooja Rani. The men's team features Asian Games medalist Narender Berwal and rising stars like Hitesh Gulia. This historic event marks the first championship under the new World Boxing governing body.

Key Points: Nikhat Zareen Lovlina Borgohain Lead India's World Boxing Championships Squad

  • Nikhat Zareen competes in 51kg while Lovlina Borgohain fights in 75kg category
  • Pooja Rani secures spot in women's 80kg division
  • Narender Berwal and Hitesh Gulia among key male boxers selected
  • Event marks first World Championships under new governing body
3 min read

India includes Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain in its 20-member squad for World Boxing Championships 2025

Olympic medalists Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain headline India's 20-member team for the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool.

"Both Borgohain and Zareen have won gold medals at World Championships before, but these were under the previous governing body. - Olympics.com"

New Delhi, July 25

Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain and renowned Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen have been named in the 20-member Indian team for the World Boxing Championships 2025, which will be held in Liverpool, England, between September 4 and 14, according to Olympics.com.

After a week-long selection evaluation at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala, the team was chosen.

This will be the inaugural World Boxing Championships, held by the newly formed World Boxing, the international governing body for the sport. It will see boxers from all over the globe compete for medals in 20 divisions: 10 weight classes for men and as many for women.

The matches will follow the Olympic format. Nikhat will be seen in the 51 kg class, while Borgohain will compete in the women's 75 kg division.

The women's 80 kg division was also taken by Olympian Pooja Rani. However, Meenakshi Hooda won the women's 48kg category, and Nitu Ghanghas, the Commonwealth Games champion, failed to make the cut.

Both Borgohain and Zareen have won gold medals at World Championships before, but these were under the previous governing body.

The meet in Liverpool will also mark the return of the two Indian boxers to the Indian national setup for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympics and their first World Boxing event.

India sent no female boxers to the inaugural World Cup held in Brazil, and neither of the two participated in the second tournament in Astana earlier this month. Both boxers also performed well at the Elite Women's Boxing Tournament in Hyderabad earlier this month, which earned them a spot in the national camp; however, they both failed to qualify for the nationals this year.

Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal (90+kg), World Boxing Cup gold medallists Hitesh Gulia (70kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) are also in the 20-member shortlist.

Indian squad for World Boxing Championships 2025Women's 48kg - Meenakshi HoodaWomen's 51kg - Nikhat ZareenWomen's 54kg - SakshiWomen's 57kg - Jaismine LamboriaWomen's 60kg - Sanju KhatriWomen's 60kg - Neeraj PhogatWomen's 70kg - Sanamacha ChanuWomen's 75kg - Lovlina BorgohainWomen's 80kg - Pooja RaniWomen's 80+kg - Nupur SheoranMen's 50kg - Jadumani Singh MandengbamMen's 55kg - Pawan BartwalMen's 60kg - Sachin Siwach JrMen's 65kg - Abhinash JamwalMen's 70kg - Hitesh GuliaMen's 75kg - Sumit KunduMen's 80kg - Lakshya ChaharMen's 85kg - Jugnoo AhlawatMen's 90kg - Harsh ChaudharyMen's 90+kg - Narender Berwal.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As someone who follows boxing closely, I must say the selection process seems fair. Meenakshi Hooda's inclusion over Nitu shows selectors are rewarding current form rather than past reputation. That's how it should be!
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Priya S
Why no proper coverage for boxing in Indian media? These athletes work so hard but get attention only during Olympics. We should support them year-round. Best wishes to the entire team! #SupportIndianBoxing
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Aman W
Mixed feelings about this squad. While the women's team looks solid, I'm concerned about our men's chances. Except for Narender Berwal, most are relatively inexperienced at world level. Hope they prove me wrong!
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Kavya N
Lovlina is such an inspiration! From Assam to Olympic medalist and now representing India again. Her journey shows what determination can achieve. Rooting for all our boxers to shine in Liverpool! 💪
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Michael C
Interesting to see how this new governing body's championships will differ from previous editions. The inclusion of both Olympic and non-Olympic weight classes is a positive step for the sport's development.

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