Reigning lightfly

UP Boxing Secretary Pramod Kumar: Reigning Lightfly champion Anamika Hooda began her title defense at the 8th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championship 2025 by knocking out Sikkim’s Prava Gajneer in Round 2. A BRICS Games 2024 gold medallist, the Railways boxer’s dominant start set the tone for a power-packed opening, witnessed by IOA President PT Usha, BFI President Ajay Singh, Indian cricketer RP Singh along with Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh, World Champion Nikhat Zareen, Olympians Sarita Devi and Manoj Kumar, UP Boxing Secretary Pramod Kumar and many other dignitaries were in attendance to witness the bouts

Hosted by the BFI in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Boxing Association, the championship takes place at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, from March 20 to 27, 2025. 188 boxers from 24 associations and state units will compete across ten weight categories in this week-long tournament, which follows the World Boxing Technical & Competition Rules, featuring three three-minute rounds with one-minute rest intervals.

BFI President Ajay Singh expressed his enthusiasm as the 8th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championship kicked off, stating, "with boxing officially back in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, I extend my best wishes to all the athletes. I hope to see many of you represent India on the global stage and at the Olympic Games, making our country proud. Our goal is to see the Indian tricolour rise and hear the national anthem play time and time again in Los Angeles."