Deepak-Nishant make cut for Paris 2024 but Panghal misses out

Amit Panghal (Pic: AFP)

World Championships bronze medallists Deepak Bhoria and Nishant Dev will be among nine Indian boxers in the running to seal quotas for the Paris Olympics at the first qualification tournament, scheduled to take place in Busto Arsizio, Italy from February 29 to March 12.

Six-time Asian Championships medallist Shiva Thapa (63.5kg) and 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze winner Jaismine Lamboria (60kg) were also named in the nine-member Indian squad announced by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Monday.

Apart from Deepak (51kg), who once again pipped 2019 World Championships silver medallist Amit Panghal based on BFI's evaluation process, and Nishant (71kg), 2022 Worlds bronze winner Mohammad Hussamuddin (57kg), who was out with a knee injury for most of last year, makes a return.

Youth women's world champion Ankushita Boro (66kg), reigning national champions Lakshya Chahar (80kg), Sanjeet Kumar (92kg), Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal (+92kg) have also been included, and they will fight for Paris Games quotas in their respective categories.

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The players have been selected after a comprehensive evaluation process, conducted by the high-performance unit based on various performance parameters.

"Our aim is to maximise India's participation at the Paris Olympics and to achieve that, we have undertaken a thorough and careful selection process for the first World Qualification Tournament," BFI Secretary General Hemanta Kalita said.

"The high-performance team conducted a detailed evaluation process, gave points to boxers and those securing highest points were selected. We are confident and believe that these boxers possess the mettle to not only compete but triumph and secure coveted spots at the Olympics."

India is yet to secure an Olympic quota in the men's section. The country's women pugilists have already secured four quotas for the Paris Olympics with Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti (54kg), Parveen Hooda (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) confirming their berths with impressive performances at the Asian Games.

India had nine boxers competing at the Tokyo Olympics with Borgohain returning with a sole medal in the sport -- a bronze.

The first World Qualification Tournament will have 50 Olympics quotas up for grabs, including 22 in the women's section, whereas between 45 and 51 boxers will qualify through the second World Qualification Tournament, to be held in Bangkok from May 23 to June 3.

The countries which do not have any qualified boxer in a specific weight category through their continental qualification tournament or the first World Qualification Tournament will be eligible to enter one athlete per weight category.

Indian squad

Women: Jaismine (60kg), Ankushta Boro (66kg).

Men: Deepak Bhoria (51kg), Md Hussamuddin (57kg), Shiva Thapa (63.5kg), Nishant Dev (71kg), Lakshya Chahar 80kg, Sanjeet (92kg), Narender (+92kg).

(With agency inputs)