National Boxing Championships: Controversy and Star Performances in Greater Noida

Overview of the Championships

Greater Noida hosted the National Boxing Championships where celebrated boxers such as Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi Hooda delivered impressive performances. However, the event was overshadowed by controversies concerning refereeing and disruptive incidents during the matches.

Notable Performances

Star Boxers Shine

Nikhat Zareen (51 kg) achieved a swift victory within two minutes against Kulsooma Bano from Ladakh in the pre-quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Minakshi Hooda (48 kg) advanced to the quarterfinals following a unanimous decision win over Annu from Jharkhand.

Other Matches

In additional bouts, Amit Panghal (55 kg) secured a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Krrishpal from Chandigarh. Other boxers, including Abhinash Jamwal (65 kg), Jadumani Singh (55 kg), Sachin Siwach (60 kg), and Hitesh Gulia (70 kg), also advanced to the quarterfinals with commanding performances. Notably, world champion Jaismine Lamboria withdrew from the competition due to a shoulder injury.

Refereeing Controversies

Incident of Biting

The men’s competition was marred by a shocking incident where a boxer from Railways Sports Control Board, Ishmeet, accused AIP’s Mohit of biting him during their middleweight (75 kg) bout. Mohit allegedly bit him multiple times on the shoulder, leading to visible bite marks. Despite the protest and evidence, the referee allowed the bout to continue, drawing criticism from Ishmeet’s coach, who stated, “The referee should have stopped the bout immediately.”

Abandoned Bout Controversy

Another bout involving Pawan Bartwal from the Services and Lalit from AIP was halted after AIP coaches and staff disrupted the proceedings, questioning the referee’s decisions. Pawan was ahead 3-2 when the match was ultimately ruled abandoned due to Lalit’s failure to report for the third round. AIP expressed intentions to lodge an official protest regarding the decision.

Response from Officials

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) confirmed the decision and stated that Lalit’s abandonment was in accordance with competition rules. BFI Technical Director Rajan Sharma noted that a comprehensive report addressing both controversial incidents would be submitted to the federation.

Recent Concerns in Officiating Standards

This incident follows a recent controversy where Olympian Ashish Chaudhary faced disqualification under contentious circumstances. The ongoing issues regarding officiating standards have raised concerns regarding the integrity of the championships.

Conclusion

Despite the overshadowing controversies, the National Boxing Championships saw remarkable performances from India’s top boxers, showcasing their talent and resilience in the ring. As the tournament progresses, the focus will remain on both the athletes’ performances and the necessary reforms in officiating to ensure fair play.