Lovlina, Nikhat in Indian Squad for World Boxing Championships

New Delhi: Indian boxing stars Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen have been named in the 20-member national squad for the upcoming World Boxing Championships, scheduled to be held in Liverpool from September 4 to 14. The team was selected following an intensive week-long assessment at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala.

This edition of the World Championships will mark a historic moment for the sport, as it will be the first held under the new global governing body, World Boxing. For the first time, male and female boxers will compete together in an Olympic-style event, featuring 10 weight categories each for men and women.

Zareen, a two-time world champion, and Borgohain, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist, had missed the women's nationals earlier this year—Zareen due to injury, and Borgohain because of administrative issues with the Assam boxing federation. However, both made strong returns at the Elite Women's Boxing Tournament in Hyderabad earlier this month.

The men’s team includes top names such as Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal (90+ kg) and two-time World Cup winners Hitesh Gulia (70kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (65kg).

The Indian squad reflects a promising blend of experience and emerging talent, ready to compete for global glory in Liverpool.