The 11th edition of Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) World Boxing Championship is also a qualification tournament for next year's Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifiers, which will be held in Wuhan, China in February 2020.
The Women's World Boxing Championship started from October 3 in Ulan Ude, Russia. The Indian fans have to wait for some time as 5 Indian boxers are given Byes in the 1st round, depending on the size of the draw. Therefore there is no Indian action on the opening day.
Under national coach Mohammad Ali Qamar, the 10-boxer squad from India for each category are:-
1. Manju Rani- 48 kg (light fly category)
2. M.C. Mary Kom- 51 kg (fly category)
3. Jamuna Boro- 54 kg (bantam category)
4. Neeraj- 57 kg (feather category)
5. Sarita Devi- 60 kg (light category)
6. Manju Bomboriya- 64 kg (light welter category)
7. Lovlina Burgohain- 69 kg (welter category)
8. Saweety Boora- 75 kg (middle category)
9. Nandini- 81 kg (light-heavy category)
10. Kavita Chahal- +81 kg (heavy category)
India has high hopes from this squad, especially from Mary Kom, who would be fighting for her 7th World title. She will be fighting from 51 kg category, in which she has won one Olympic Bronze medal and Asian games Gold medal. One thing to note is that India has never won a medal in World Boxing Championship in 51 kg category and Magnificent Mary has a job to do. Mary Kom has been seeded 3rd in the tournament and handed a Bye into pre-quarterfinals, which will be played on October 8th.
Another Indian boxing legend to look forward to in L. Sarita Devi. The 8th time Asian medallist will be playing in 60 kg category. She was seeded 4th in this tournament and was handed a Bye into round 32. Kavita Chahal, who has 2 Bronze World Championship medal in the past, will be playing from +81 kg category and will be directly playing Quarter-finals and thus needs one win for a podium finish. Apart from them, other names for favorites are Manju Rani, known for Strandja Cup Silver medallist; Saweety Boora, former Asian champion; and Lovlina Bourgohain, last year's World Championship's Bronze medallist.
India Open medallist, Neeraj and Jamuna Boro are debuting in this World Championship. Neeraj will be playing in the 32nd round of the tournament.
The mixed team of experience and youth and their performance will be looked forward to in this tournament. While we hope for our senior players to win a medal, the country would also want to see how far does the future of Women boxing goes when the young players take the centre stage. Due to India's incredible performance last year in World Boxing Championship, it is to see whether they can defend the titles. It is for sure it will be a highly interesting tournament. Since Men's World Boxing Championship ended at a positive note for India, the hopes with Women's boxing is high.
