Top five medal prospects for India in Boxing at Hangzhou Asian Games 2023

Published at :September 18, 2023 at 1:13 AM

Modified at :January 25, 2024 at 3:44 AM

(Courtesy : The Times of India/News 18/The Quint)

Two reigning world champions from India will be taking part in the Continental meet.

The Asian Games 2023 will commence on 23rd September 2023. This time there will be a lot of hope from the Indian boxing contingent especially from the women’s boxing. After their performances at the World Championships, winning four gold medals. The male boxers, on the other hand, secured the best-ever performance at the World Championships winning three medals – first time in a single edition.

India has so far won 57 medals at the Asian Games in boxing (9 gold, 16 silver and 32 bronze) and is the fourth best sport for India at the Asian Games in terms of medals won. After a disappointing campaign in the last edition where they won only two medals (1 gold and 1 bronze), this time there are high hopes from the pugilist. Apart from medals, the Indian boxers will also look to secure quota places for Paris Olympics 2024.

In this article let’s look out at the top five medal prospects for India in Boxing:

5. Parveen Hooda (Women’s 57 kg)

**Parveen Hooda will be making her debut at the Asian Games (Courtesy: The Indian Express)**

The reigning Asian champion, Parveen Hooda, is one of the medal prospects at the Asian Games. The 23-year-old hailing from Haryana had to change her weight category as the category in which she was earlier competing wasn’t part of the Olympics. She won the bronze medal at the World Championships last year and has been good form.

Though she has won medals in different categories, Parveen still has a good chance to win a medal for India at the Asian Games. Her major threat will be Karina Ibragimova of Kazakhstan, who won the silver medal at the World Championships 2023. Parveen dominated all her bouts till the quarterfinals convincingly at the World Championships but had to settle for bronze after losing in the semifinals.

4. Nishant Dev (Men’s 71 kg)

**Nishant Dev is the only Indian to beat a Cuban boxer (Courtesy: The Times of India)**

Nishant Dev who has impressed everyone with his boxing skills will be one of the best bets for India to win a medal at the Asian Games. He won a bronze medal in the 2023 World Championships. The 22-year-old, who is coming back from an injury, did well and surprised many by defeating a Cuban boxer at the World Championships. In the process, Nishant also became the first-ever Indian to beat a Cuban boxer.

His main threat at the Asiad will be Kazakhstan’s Aslanbek Shymbergenov, who defeated the Indian in the semifinals of World Championships via a split decision. This time Nishant would like to reverse the verdict of the match if they both meet once again.

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3. Deepak Bhoria (Men’s 51 kg)

**Deepak Bhoria is in fine form heading into Hangzhou Asian Games (Courtesy: Olympics.com)**

Deepak Bhoria entered the Asian Games squad after defeating 2018 Asian Games gold medalist Amit Panghal in the selection trials. Deepak will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders to defend the gold medal of his compatriot Amit Panghal. The 25-year-old won a bronze medal at the World Championships 2023 beating Saken Bibossinov of Kazakhstan.

In the Continental meet, Deepak might be up against Saken Bibossinov for the gold medal showoff. Apart from the Kazakh boxer, another major threat for the quest for gold will be the world champion Hasanboy Dusmatov of Uzbekistan.

2. Lovlina Borgohain (Women’s 75 kg)

**Lovlina Borgohain is reigning world champion in 75kg category (Courtesy: Mid-day)**

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain, will have huge expectations on her shoulders to win a medal at the Asian Games. The 25-year-old has changed her weight category and shifted from 69kg to 75kg and will be one of the gold medal contenders for Indian boxing at the Asian Games.

She won gold at the World Championships after defeating Caitlin Parker of Australia and on her way to the final also beat the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Li Qian, who will be her only threat for gold medal.

1. Nikhat Zareen (Women’s 51 kg)

**Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen will be competing in her maiden Asian Games (Courtesy: Scroll.in)**

The two-time World Championships gold medalist and apparent successor to Indian legend Mary Kom, Nikhat Zareen, is ready for the quest for gold medal at the Asian Games. Nikhat won almost all her bouts by unanimous decisions at the World Championships 2023.

However, her main threat will be Wu Yu of China whom she is yet to face. Since the Asian Games are scheduled in China, Wu Yu could prove tricky for her with home support being an advantage.

Apart from these five pugilists, the other Indian boxers to watch out are Arundhati Reddy (Women’s 66 kg), Jasimine Lamboria (Women’s 60 kg) and Sanjeet (Men’s 92 kg).