'There's no pressure of the Olympics but at the same time, I am not being complacent about it.'
Nikhat, who recently won a silver medal at the Elite Women's Boxing Tournament 2025, is bolstering her preparations and hopes to make India proud by clinching a medal.
The change at the helm comes in the wake of an underwhelming couple of years for Indian men's boxing.
Young Indian women pugilists Nisha and Muskan showcased their skills by winning gold medals, while five others bagged silver in the Under-19 Asian Boxing Championships.
Hitesh, Sakshi assure India two more medals at World Boxing Cup
Indian boxer Nupur urged the citizens of the country to support them in the same way they support the cricketers and opened up on her title clash.
Five Indian boxers enter semifinals, assured of medal in U19 Asian Championships
Athletes at the Milano Cortina Games have depleted the condom supply provided by organizers, highlighting the active social scene alongside the sporting events.
World Boxing Championships 2025: Pawan Bartwal registers hard-fought win over Trindade
Jaismine reaches World Championships quarters, Sanamacha and Sakshi exit
Minakshi Hooda continued her sparkling run to become the third Indian woman boxer to storm into the final of the World Championships.
India had fielded a 19-member strong contingent in the prestigious boxing tournament, that attracted talented boxers from powerhouses like China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, South Korea, and host Thailand.
Ten Indian boxers, including seven women, will be vying for gold in the U-19 Asian Boxing Championships 2025 after registering convincing victories in their respective semifinal bouts in Bangkok on Friday.
Unseeded in the draw, Nikhat overcame a scrappy women's 51kg round of 16 contest to secure a unanimous decision, though the scoreline did not reflect the stiff resistance from her 21-year-old opponent.
Nupur storms into final, Abhinash enters semis at World Boxing Cup
Hitesh credited the 10-day preparatory camp in Brazil for India's decent run in the tournament.
Former Youth World Championships gold medallist Poonam Poonia produced a fearless display to hand defending 54kg champion Sakshi Chaudhary a shock defeat, causing the first major upset of the National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida on Thursday.
In the women's competition, Minakshi began her campaign with a clean 5-0 win over Australia's Madeleine Bowen in the light flyweight division, while Muskan edged England's Kerry Davis 3-2 in a closely contested middleweight category bout.
In a massive blow to India's medal chances, cricket, field hockey, badminton, wrestling, among others, have been dropped from the programme for the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, which will be held from July 23 to August 2, 2026.
He joins ahead of a demanding 2026 season packed with major events, including the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. One of the first things on his agenda will be "tackling" the selection policy.
Indian women boxers, led by star pugilist Nikhat Zareen, lived up to their top billings to claim seven gold medals, while Hitesh Gulia and Sachin Siwach also clinched the coveted yellow metal at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida on Thursday.
Lots to look forward to in Indian sports as packed 2026 calender awaits
Indian welterweight Vikas Krishan Yadav will draw on all of his skill, discipline and determination to return from London with an Olympic medal and fulfill a promise he made to his father.
Hockey star Hardik Singh lone recommendation for Khel Ratna; Divya, TJ & Mehuli for Arjuna
The last year proved to be a period of reflection for Nikhat Zareen, one that taught her to temper expectations while also strengthening her resolve to fulfil her dream of becoming an Olympic champion.
Olympic medallist Vijender Singh has called for greater international exposure for Indian boxers to boost their 2028 Los Angles Games medal hopes while also urging fresh and fair elections in the BFI to strengthen its governance. He believes that more international competition and a strong federation are crucial for Indian boxers to succeed at the upcoming Olympics.
Hitesh beats former world champion Okazawa, Indian boxers continue to dominate at World Cup Finals
Wrestler Yashita bags gold, six Indian boxers sail into final at Youth Asian Games
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
Two-time gold medallist Nikhat Zareen has put behind the disappointment of missing out on a third World Championships medal, and is now focussed on collecting maximum ranking points by winning the top prize in the upcoming World Boxing Cup Finals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the Indian blind women's cricket team for winning the inaugural T20 World Cup.
SAI Governing Body approves infrastructure upgrade at centres across India
Preeti shocks world champion Huang; Arundhati, Parveen shine on international return
Amit Panghal, India's lone male boxer to win a world championship silver medal, has turned professional.
Legendary Indian boxer MC Mary Kom has called for greater recognition for boxing in India, stating her goal is to make the sport as popular as cricket.
Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) and the seasoned Pooja Rani (80kg) signed off with silver and bronze medals respectively in non-Olympic weight categories.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several leaders extended wishes to Jaismine Lamboria and Minakshi Hooda, who were crowned champions at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool on Sunday.
All that boxer Amit Panghal wanted after winning his first and only Asian Games gold in September 2018 was a meeting with Dharmendra.
A woman coach with the Sports Authority of India's National Boxing Academy in Rohtak has been accused of sexual harassment by a minor pugilist
