Asian Championships success earns rising stars a major boost ahead of CWG and Asian Games
Punjab Newsline,Sports:
India’s boxing contingent received a significant boost as four promising pugilists—Preeti Pawar, Priya, Arundhati Chaudhary, and Sachin—were promoted to the prestigious Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core Group following their stellar performances at the 2026 Asian Boxing Elite Championships. The decision was taken during the 172nd Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meeting, reflecting the country’s growing confidence in its emerging boxing talent ahead of major international events.
Preeti (54kg), Priya (60kg), and Arundhati (70kg) delivered gold medal-winning performances at the continental championships held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, earlier this month, while Sachin (60kg) secured an impressive silver medal. Their consistent performances, improved world rankings, and steady progress played a key role in their elevation to the Core Group, which provides elite athletes with enhanced financial assistance, international exposure, and high-performance support.
Looking ahead, Preeti is set to represent India at both the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan later this year. She will be joined by fellow boxers Jaismine (57kg), Priya, Arundhati, and Sachin. Notably, Preeti, Priya, and Sachin will compete in both multi-sport events after qualifying directly under the Boxing Federation of India’s selection criteria, underlining their consistency at the highest level.
Boxing is expected to play a crucial role in India’s medal tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026, especially with the absence of several traditional medal-winning sports such as shooting, wrestling, badminton, and hockey. This places additional responsibility on the boxing squad to deliver strong performances on the global stage.
In addition, three more boxers—Aditya (65kg), Deepak (70kg), and Harsh (90kg)—have been included in the TOPS Development Group, while Narender (+90kg) has been placed in the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG). India concluded the Asian Championships campaign with a remarkable haul of 16 medals, including five gold, three silver, and eight bronze, signaling a bright future for Indian boxing.