Top five boxers to watch out for at Commonwealth Games 2022

These pugilists will aim to win medals for the country at the multi-sport event.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games begin on 28 July and run until 8 August, with Birmingham the host city for the prestigious multi-sport event.

Boxing is one of the most popular ones at the Commonwealth Games. The Indian contingent is made up of a 12-member strong team consisting of Olympians, Asian Championships medal winners, and World Championship medal winners among others.

Here is a look at the top five Indian boxers to watch out for at the 2022 Commonwealth Games:

Shiva Thapa

Shiva Thapa is the youngest boxer to win a gold medal for India at the Asian Championships. At the 2012 London Games, he also became the youngest Indian to feature in the Olympics. 

The 2015 World Boxing Championships bronze medallist will participate in the 63.5kg category at the 2022 Birmingham Games. The 28-year-old, who made a quarterfinals exit at the 2021 World Boxing Championships, will be looking to win his maiden Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Sumit Kundu

19-year-old Sumit Kundu is one of the most promising boxers in the Indian squad and will compete in the 75kg category, also known as the middleweight category.

Hailing from a humble background, Sumit had to initially give up the sport to support his family. However, after receiving assistance from village elders, the youngster returned to the sport and made a huge mark. He has gold almost every year since he returned, bagging it at the 2018 Nationals School Games, 2019 Khelo India Games, 2021 Senior Nationals and the 2022 Thailand Open.

Lovlina Borgohain

Lovlina Borgohain became a household name in India after winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year. She is only the second Indian woman boxer behind Mary Kom to win an Olympic medal, which makes her achievement all the more laudable.

The 24-year-old is also a two-time bronze medal winner in both the Asian Championships and the World Championships. She will be contesting in the 70kg category at the Birmingham Games and will be hoping to secure her first medal at the multi-sport event. In her previous appearance in the competition in 2018, Borgohain lost in the quarterfinals to England’s Sandy Ryan.

Amit Panghal

Amit Pangal is a Commonwealth Games medallist, having won silver in the 2018 edition in Australia. The 26-year-old will take part in the 51kg category at the Birmingham Games and will be looking to go a step further this year.

The 2018 Asian Games gold medal winner also represented the country at the Tokyo Olympics as World No. 1 in the 52kg category. He is also a World Championships silver medallist and has also won silver at the 2022 Thailand Open.

Nikhat Zareen

Nikhat Zareen is one of India’s strongest medal contenders at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She has broken through several barriers to reach where she has. The 26-year-old is the reigning world champion, having won the gold medal at the 2022 World Boxing Championships in Istanbul. She is also a bronze medallist at the 2019 Asian Championships.

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