The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced a 19-member squad that will participate in the 4th Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament 2025, scheduled to take place in Bangkok from May 24 to June 1. The team comprises 10 men and 9 women, all selected from the ongoing elite national camp at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala. This camp is a crucial part of the preparations for a season filled with important tournaments.
The BFI has adhered to its established selection criteria, offering opportunities to silver medalists from the 2025 Elite Men's and Women's National Championships. This approach ensures that deserving athletes get a chance to showcase their skills on an international platform.
The Thailand Open, held under the aegis of Asian Boxing, will feature top national teams from across the continent. Participating countries include boxing powerhouses such as China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Korea, and of course, the host nation, Thailand, promising a high level of competition.
India's men's squad includes Naothoi Singh Kongkham (47–50kg), Pawan Bartwal (50–55kg), Nikhil (55–60kg), Amit Kumar (60–65kg), Hemant Yadav (65–70kg), Deepak (70–75kg), Dhruv Singh (75–80kg), Jugnoo (80–85kg), Naman Tanwar (85–90kg), and Anshul Gill (90kg+). These boxers represent a range of weight categories, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian men's boxing.
The women's team is composed of Yasika Rai (45–48kg), Tamanna (48–51kg), Abha Singh (51–54kg), Priya (54–57kg), Sanju (57–60kg), Saneh (65–70kg), Anjali (70–75kg), Lalfakmawii Ralte (75–80kg), and Kiran (80kg+). Notably, there is no boxer representing India in the women's 60–65kg category for this tournament.
According to a BFI statement, the silver medalists from the 8th Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships were chosen for the Thailand Open. For the World Boxing Cup, the gold medalist from the 8th Elite National Championship will be the primary selection, while the silver medalist will be designated as a reserve.
BFI President-Chairman, Interim Committee, Ajay Singh, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming events. "With the team set to leave for the Thailand Open, we're entering a very exciting phase for Indian boxing," he said. He highlighted the busy international calendar ahead, which includes the World Cup stage tournament in Kazakhstan, the World Championship in Liverpool, the World Cup Finals in New Delhi, and several other key tournaments, such as the Asian Championship.
Mr. Singh emphasized the importance of performance and transparency in the selection process, stating that every boxer has earned their place through hard work and consistency. The ongoing national camp is designed to prepare the team for the challenges ahead.
In addition to the Thailand Open, Indian boxers are also preparing for the World Boxing Cup, scheduled to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, starting June 30. The boxers participating in the World Cup will undergo training camps to ensure they are well-prepared for the competition. The BFI aims to provide international exposure to as many pugilists as possible by selecting different sets of boxers for the two tournaments.
It's worth noting that Indian boxing is currently being managed by an Interim Committee formed by World Boxing due to the indefinite suspension of BFI elections. Despite these administrative challenges, the focus remains on supporting and developing Indian boxers.
This participation marks a significant return for Indian women pugilists to international competition following the Paris Olympics. The BFI's commitment to providing opportunities and exposure to its boxers underscores its dedication to the growth and success of boxing in India.
