Shiva Thapa, Sachin Siwach Shine on Day 2 of the 8th Elite Men’s National Boxing Championship

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Shiva Thapa, the defending Welterweight (60-65kg) champion from the previous edition, began his title defence in impressive fashion at the 8th Elite Men's National Boxing Championship.

On Day 2, representing Assam, Thapa delivered a commanding 5-0 victory against Enayat Khan, setting a dominant tone for his quest to retain the crown. Thapa made history in 2012 by becoming the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympics in London, adding further prestige to his legacy.

Also making an impact was former World Youth Boxing Champion Sachin Siwach, who showcased his readiness for the championship with a dominant 5-0 victory representing the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB). Siwach defeated Akshay, asserting his position as a strong contender for the top honours.

The tournament, organized by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) in partnership with the Uttar Pradesh Boxing Association, is taking place at Invertis University in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, from January 7-13, 2025. Nearly 300 boxers from various state units across India are competing for supremacy in different weight divisions.

Session three on Day 2 featured an exciting Flyweight (47-50kg) category match, where Rajasthan's Devansh Solanki defeated Uttar Pradesh's Vikas Singh in a unanimous decision. Ashutosh Yadav from Chhattisgarh also produced a dominant Round 1 performance to triumph over Gujarat's Akleem Khan, setting the stage for more thrilling bouts throughout the day.

In Session 4, Team SSCB continued to assert their dominance, securing victories across multiple categories. Hitesh Gulia, Deepak, Jugnoo, and Vishal claimed wins in the Light Middleweight, Welterweight, Cruiserweight, and Heavyweight divisions, respectively. Rajasthan also shone brightly, with Priyadarshi Singh Ashiya (Light Middleweight), Pushpendra Singh (Cruiserweight), and Harsh Choudhary (Heavyweight) all emerging victorious, further solidifying their reputation in the competition.

The tournament follows the World Boxing Technical & Competition Rules, with bouts comprising three three-minute rounds, one-minute rest intervals, and a 10-point-must scoring system. Each team, representing their respective state units, fields up to ten boxers in the event.

As the two-time defending champions, Team SSCB continues to present a formidable challenge in their pursuit of a third consecutive title, further heightening the competition and excitement in the championship.