Delhi boxer Rohit Mor created the biggest stir at the National Boxing Championship after he defeated Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mohammed Husamuddin to clinch the gold medal in the 57kg category. Husamudddin was one of the strongest contenders for gold in that category and his defeat in the finals came as a shock to many people.
With a dominant 5-0 win, the Delhi based pugilist has secured a spot in the AIBA Elite Men’s World Boxing Championship which is scheduled later this year in Belgrade, Serbia.
Reigning Asian Champion Sanjeet also lived up to the expectations as he defeated Haryana’s Naveen Kumar in the finals in the 92kg category. Apart from him Deepak Kumar (51kg), Akash (54kg), Akash (67), Sumit (75kg), Sachin Kumar (80kg), Lakshya (86kg) and Narender (+92kg) were the other SSCB boxers who registered victories in their respective finals and secured gold medals.
Former silver medallist at the Strandja Memorial, Deepak Kumar once again was exceptional in his bouts. He clinched the gold medal in the 51kg category and was also adjudged as the best boxer in the National Championships.
SSCB defended their team title by winning 12 medals at the event including eight gold, three silver and one bronze. Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) won two gold, two bronze and three silver medals while Delhi won one silver and three bronze medals claiming the second and third spots respectively.
Varinder Singh (60kg) and Govind Sahani (48kg), both representing Railways Sports Promotion Board won gold medals with unanimous wins in the finals. Varinder who won the 2021 Asian Championship bronze medal defeated SSCB’s Etash Khan Muhammed whereas Govind dominated Chandigarh’s Kuldeep Kumar.
Veteran pugilist from Assam, Shiva Thapa showed great determination, courage and aggression to defend his title as he recorded an easy 5-0 win over Dalveer Singh Tomar of SSCB.
Karnataka’s Nishant Dev who was one of the sparkling boxers in the Championships defeated Amit Kumar of Daman, Diu & Nagar Haveli to win the 71kg title.
The gold medallists at this tournament will get direct entry to the AIBA Elite Men’s World Boxing Championships which will commence on October 24 and run through till November 6 in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. All eyes will be on the talented Indian pugilists as they look to replicate their Nationals performance in the World Championships.
