BFI to host Men’s, Women’s Nationals together from December 31

The BFI will host the 9th Men’s and Women’s Senior National Boxing Championships together for the first time at Gautam Buddha University from December 31 to January 6. The event marks the start of India’s next high-performance cycle ahead of LA 2028.

HYDERABAD: The 9th Elite Men & Women National Boxing Championship, earlier scheduled from 31st December 2025 to 6th January 2026 at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, has been rescheduled.

In light of the pollution control measures mandated by the government and effective until 31st December 2025, the championship will now be held from 4th January to 10th January 2026, at the same venue.

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Units from across the country will compete across ten weight categories each for men and women, in full compliance with World Boxing Technical & Competition Rules. Each unit is permitted to field one boxer per category, with no reserves allowed. Eligible boxers must be born between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 2006. All bouts will follow the global competition format of three rounds of three minutes, with one-minute rest intervals and the 10-point must scoring system.

The Nationals return at a pivotal moment for Indian boxing. The previous cycle, launched in early 2025 with the Men’s and Women’s National Championships, produced a generation of breakout athletes who rose swiftly through the domestic system, earned places in the national camp, and excelled at international tournaments. That structure culminated in India’s best-ever performance—a record 20 medals, including nine golds, at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 in Greater Noida.

Speaking on the occasion, BFI president, Mr Ajay Singh, said, “Strong systems are the backbone of long-term success, and the National Championships are where that system truly begins. This stage creates opportunity, reveals talent, and gives every boxer a fair pathway into the national camp. Our recent success at the World Boxing Cup Finals proved how powerful this can be. As we prepare for the challenges ahead, these championships will be crucial in identifying and preparing the athletes who can carry our hopes forward.”

Many of India’s brightest World Boxing Cup Finals stars began their ascent at the previous Nationals. Sachin Siwach and Hitesh Gulia, who struck gold at the World Boxing Cup Finals, were National Champions first. Minakshi and Jaismine, now the reigning World Champions, also made their early statements at these very Championships. With the international calendar moving toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, the Nationals once again become the gateway to India’s elite programme.

Services enter as the defending Men’s National Champions, while Railways will look to retain the Women’s Team Championship title.