Men’s and Women’s Boxing Nationals to Be Held Simultaneously from December 31 in Greater Noida

New Delhi – For the first time, the Elite Senior National Boxing Championships for both men and women will be conducted simultaneously, showcasing India’s top boxing talent under one roof. The event is scheduled from December 31, 2025, to January 6, 2026, at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida.

The Services team enters as the defending Men’s National Champion, while the Railways will look to retain their Women’s Team Championship crown. The official draw is set for December 30, marking the beginning of India’s next high-performance cycle.

According to a statement from the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), units from across the country will compete across ten weight categories each for men and women, in full accordance with World Boxing Technical & Competition Rules. Each unit may field one boxer per weight category, with no reserves permitted. Eligible boxers must be born between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 2006.

All bouts will follow the international format: three rounds of three minutes each, with one-minute rest intervals, judged using the 10-point must scoring system.

BFI President Ajay Singh said, “Strong systems form the foundation of long-term success, and the National Championships are where that system truly begins. This platform creates opportunity, identifies talent, and ensures every boxer has a fair pathway to the national camp. Our recent success at the World Boxing Cup Finals demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. As we look ahead, these championships will play a pivotal role in preparing athletes capable of carrying our aspirations forward.”

Several stars who excelled at the World Boxing Cup Finals began their journey at past Nationals. Sachin Siwach and Hitesh Gulia, both gold medallists at the World Boxing Cup Finals, first won their national titles here. Similarly, Minakshi and Jaismine, now World Champions, made their early breakthroughs at these championships.

As the international boxing calendar advances toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, the Nationals once again stand as a crucial gateway to India’s elite programme.

With inputs from IANS