Asian Games countdown: India expect to make significant gains in boxing and weightlifting

Boxing is again one of the sports from which India is expected to make significant gains in the medal tally. India has entered six men and five women in the boxing competitions.

Sachin Siwach is a good prospect for a medal

The men’s team is Jadumani Singh (55 kg), Sachin Siwach (60 kg), Sumit Kundu (70 kg), Ankush Panghal (80 kg), Kapil Pokhariya (90 kg) and Narender Berwal (plus 90 kg).

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Among these boxers, Sachin Siwach, Ankush Panghal and Jadumani Singh have particularly strong recent credentials. All three reached the finals of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Sachin and Ankush winning gold and Jadumani taking silver. Narender Berwal also won silver.

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In the heavier categories India has an advantage because competition is less from the far-east countries like Japan, Korea and China.

But in the lighter weights, it must be borne in mind that the Asian Games competition will be far fiercer than the Commonwealth Games. The Asian Games will provide a substantially tougher test because the field includes strong boxing nations from Central and East Asia like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Hyderabad’s Nikhat misses out this time

In women’s boxing, the team is Sakshi Chaudhary (51 kg), Preeti Pawar (54 kg), Priya Ghanghas (60 kg), Parveen Hooda (65 kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg).

Sakshi Chaudhary had defeated two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen in the Asian Games selection trials and subsequently won Commonwealth Games gold

In the women’s section, there are several very interesting medal contenders. Sakshi Chaudhary has had a remarkable year. She defeated two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen in the Asian Games selection trials and subsequently won Commonwealth Games gold. Nikhat therefore isn’t in India’s Asian Games team this year.

Preeti Pawar is another strong candidate. She is already an Asian Games bronze medallist and won Commonwealth Games gold this year. Her combination of speed and counter-punching has made her one of India’s established international boxers.

Priya Ghanghas could be one of the most exciting Indian boxers to watch. She won the Asian championship and Commonwealth Games title this year. She is one of India’s most exciting new talents, particularly impressive is her punching power and attacking style.

Telangana’s boxing queen Nikhat Zareen failed to make it to the Asian Games this year 

Lovlina Borgohain is a name that is well known. She is a Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist, three-time World Championships medallist and Asian Games silver medallist. India’s head coach Santiago Nieva has specifically identified Lovlina, along with other leading Indian women, as part of a group capable of challenging for major international medals.

Boxers showed good form at Commonwealth Games

The 2026 Commonwealth Games results were certainly encouraging. India won 10 boxing medals, including seven gold, with five women’s champions and two men’s champions. But boxing is an unpredictable sport and the Asian Games will be a much sterner test of skill and stamina.

Asian Games 2026 medallists to get direct entry to 2027 World Boxing Championships

The Boxing Federation of India has confirmed that Asian Games medallists will receive direct entry to the 2027 World Boxing Championships, thereby adding importance to every medal bout in Japan.

Weightlifting: Indian legend Mirabai Chanu will have to fight hard

In weightlifting, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the Tokyo Olympic Games silver medallist remains India’s major medal prospect. Interestingly, Chanu is seeking her first Asian Games medal, having experienced disappointment at previous editions.

Mirabai Chanu will have a tough fight for the gold, but she may get silver or bronze

Mirabai Chanu has now established herself as one of the legendary names in India’s weightlifting scene. She won a gold medal in the 2017 World Championships followed by two silver medals later. She has won three gold medals and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. In the 2018 Commonwealth Games, she set a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch, clean & jerk, and overall categories. She bettered this mark in the 222 and 2026 editions. Her consistency and determination are remarkable.

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Mirabai’s main rivals within the Asian continent include North Korea’s Ri Song Gum, Taiwan’s Fang Wan-Lin and Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao. Here it must be noted that the North Korean Ri Song Gum is widely expected to take the gold. Her best total is 213 kilos (combined total in two lifts) in the World Championships in 2025. Mirabai’s best is a total of 205 kilos at the Asian championships in 2021. So Chanu will have a tough fight for the gold. But she may get silver or bronze.