No punch, no problem: Lovlina's Commonwealth Games gold hunt begins

Assured of the only major medal missing from her decorated cabinet without even stepping into the ring, Lovlina Borgohain will now chase Commonwealth Games gold as a new generation of Indian boxers look to announce themselves on the big stage starting today.

With the Games trimmed to just 10 disciplines in the able-bodied programme, boxing is again expected to contribute a significant share in India’s medal tally. The sport has yielded 44 CWG medals for India so far, and another strong showing will be crucial. As many as eight Indian boxers have received first-round byes.

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The likes of Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg) are just one win away from securing medals. Leading the charge will be former world champion Lovlina (75kg). The 28-year-old received a direct entry into the semifinals of the women’s 75kg event, which features only five boxers.

The seven-member women’s team, in fact, looks capable of matching or even bettering its haul of two golds and a bronze from Birmingham. Reigning 57kg world champion Jaismine will be among the biggest medal prospects despite returning from an illness that forced her to miss the recent training camp in the Czech Republic. The Haryana boxer, who won bronze in Birmingham, will be aiming to upgrade its colour.

All eyes will be on Army boxer Sakshi Chaudhary who has dropped from 54kg to 51kg. She defeated world champions Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi Hooda during the selection trials before underlining her credentials by winning gold at the Czech Grand Prix. Asian Games bronze-medallist Preeti (54kg) and Arundhati (70kg), f r e s h f r o m t h e i r A s i a n Championships triumph, further bolster India’s medal prospects.

Head coach Santiago Nieva is hopeful of a better showing than four years ago, when the women pugilists won two golds and a bronze. “It will be tough for everyone to win gold. But I’d say we are capable of doing as good as we did last time or even better,” Nieva said.

TRANSITION

The men’s squad, meanwhile, is in transition with plenty of newcomers. Six of the seven boxers will make their CWG debut, with seasoned Asian Games bronze-medallist Narender Berwal (+90kg) and Sumit Kundu (70kg) the only members with significant experience. Among the newcomers, Jadumani Singh (55kg) will attract considerable attention.

The Manipuri boxer has moved up from 50kg to the Olympic 55kg category, a shift that has freed him from draining and drastic weight cutting processes and allowed him to focus on performance. Aditya Pratap Singh (65kg) and Kapil Pokhariya (90kg) are also highly rated prospects, while multiple World Cup-medallist Sachin Siwach (60kg) being the strongest medal hope among the men. The young squad may lack experience, but it possesses enough talent to spring a few surprises.

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India’s finest boxing campaign at the Commonwealth Games came in Gold Coast in 2018, when the team won seven medals, including three gold. MC Mary Kom became the country’s first woman to win a Commonwealth boxing title, while every Indian male boxer returned home with a medal.

SQUAD WOMEN

Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), Parveen Hooda (65kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Lovlina Borghain (75kg) MEN Jadumani Singh (55kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), Aditya Pratap Singh (65kg), Sumit Kundu (70kg), Ankush (80kg), Kapil Pokhariya (90kg), Narender Berwal (+90kg)

WATCHOUT! TODAY

BOXING: 3:30pm-7pm & 11:30pm2:15am (Sony Ten & Sony LIV)