Key Points

Over 640 young boxers will compete at the 6th Junior U-17 Nationals in Rohtak, a key event for spotting future Olympic talent. Haryana and Services Sports Control Board enter as defending champions in their respective categories. BFI President Ajay Singh highlights the event’s role in identifying stars for the 2032 and 2036 Olympics. Winners will also get a chance to represent India at the upcoming Asian Youth Games.

Key Points: 640 Young Boxers Compete at Junior U-17 Nationals in Rohtak

  • 640 young boxers across 26 weight categories
  • Haryana and Services defend titles
  • Winners to represent India at Asian Youth Games
  • BFI aims to nurture future Olympic talent
2 min read

India's future boxing stars to face off at 6th Junior (U-17) Nationals

Over 640 young boxers battle for glory at the 6th Junior U-17 Nationals in Rohtak, a key event for future Olympic hopefuls.

"This championship is crucial for discovering India’s next boxing stars for the 2032 & 2036 Olympics. – Ajay Singh, BFI President"

Rohtak, June 19

Around 640 up-and-coming pugilists from across the country, including 350 boys and 290 girls, will face off in the 6th Junior (U-17) Boys and Girls National Boxing Championships at the National Boxing Academy in Rohtak, Haryana, from Thursday.

Both the Junior Boys and Junior Girls competitions will feature 13 weight categories each, ranging from 44-46 kg to 80+ kg. The Services Sports Control Board will look to defend their title from the 5th Boys' Nationals, while Haryana enter as the defending champions in the Girls' category.

"The Junior National Championship is a crucial platform for young boxers to showcase their skills in front of national selectors and coaches. It plays a key role in helping BFI identify and nurture future talent. I am happy to see strong participation from all teams as we look to discover the next generation of Indian boxing stars. Many of these young boxers will represent India in the 2032 & 2036 Olympic Games, and therefore, this championship is of great importance," said Boxing Federation of India President-Chairperson, Interim Committee, Ajay Singh.

"This championship also comes before the Asian Youth Games in October this year, where, for the first time, Boxing has been included. The winners from here will go on to represent India at these Asian Games, where 14 medals will be up for grabs. With robust systems already in place, BFI is committed to supporting these young athletes in realising their full potential," he added.

The gold and silver medallists of the REC Combined Talent Hunt (Junior Boys and Girls) held in October 2024 would be eligible to participate in the National Championships under the REC banner, provided they fulfil the eligibility criteria of being born between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.

The championships will be conducted as per the World Boxing Technical & Competitions Rules, wherein each bout will consist of three rounds of two minutes each, with a minute's rest in between. A ten-points-must scoring system shall be followed.

Indian boxing has been making huge strides towards becoming a top boxing nation across all levels. While the seniors clinched eight medals, including two gold, at the recently-concluded Thailand International, the juniors (U-15 and U-17) collected 43 medals-including 15 gold, six silver, and 22 bronze-at the inaugural Asian U-15 & U-17 Championships, finishing second in the overall table and displaying the strength of a strong youth programme.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Great to see such strong participation from young boxers! Haryana has always been a powerhouse in boxing - no wonder they're defending champs in girls' category. Hope to see some future Olympic medalists emerge from this championship 🇮🇳🥊
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Priya M.
So proud of these young athletes! The fact that girls make up nearly half the participants shows how far women's boxing has come in India. My niece is participating - win or lose, just being here is a huge achievement 👏
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Amit S.
While it's good to see investment in junior boxing, I hope BFI also focuses on proper nutrition and education for these young athletes. Many come from humble backgrounds and need holistic support beyond just training.
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Neha T.
The Asian Youth Games inclusion is a game-changer! India's performance at junior Asian championships shows we're building depth. Maybe one day we'll rival Cuba or USA in boxing talent pipeline 💪
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Vikram J.
Rohtak is becoming India's boxing capital! The facilities at National Boxing Academy are world-class. Hope other states learn from Haryana's model of sports development. #FutureChamps
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Sunita R.
My son participated last year and the exposure was priceless. The competition is tough but fair. Just a suggestion - would be great if matches could be live-streamed for parents who can't travel!

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