Women’s National Boxing Championship: Defending Champion Minakshi Triumphs Over Nitu Ghanghas in Epic Battle

Synopsis

In a thrilling quarter-final at the 8th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championship, defending champion Minakshi defeated Commonwealth and World Championships gold medallist Nitu Ghanghas, moving closer to retaining her title. The event, featuring 188 participants, takes place from March 20 to 27, 2025, in Greater Noida.

Key Takeaways

Minakshi defeats Nitu Ghanghas in quarter-finals.
Championship running from March 20 to 27, 2025.
Hosted at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex.
188 boxers competing in ten weight categories.
Notable victories by Pooja Rani and Sanamacha Chanu.

Greater Noida, March 24 (NationPress) Defending Minimumweight (45-48kg) national champion Minakshi took a significant stride towards retaining her title by overcoming Commonwealth and World Championships gold medallist Nitu Ghanghas in a thrilling quarter-final face-off at the 8th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championship.

Competing for All India Police (AIP), the Asian Championships silver medallist triumphed over Nitu with a hard-fought 4:1 split decision, emerging victorious in a contest of top-tier athletes on Monday.

This championship, organized by the BFI in partnership with the Uttar Pradesh Boxing Association, is being held at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, from March 20 to 27, 2025. A total of 188 boxers from 24 state units are vying for honors across ten weight categories in this week-long tournament, adhering to World Boxing Technical & Competition Rules, featuring three three-minute rounds with one-minute rest intervals.

Pooja Rani, a bronze medallist from the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, secured her place in the semi-finals by defeating Komal. Both the experienced pugilist from Haryana and her opponent from Punjab had previously earned podium finishes in the Middleweight (70-75kg) category at the 7th Women’s Nationals, with Pooja claiming gold and Komal taking bronze. Their match on Day 4 of the tournament saw Pooja Rani win by unanimous decision.

Additionally, Sanamacha Chanu, a youth world and national champion, advanced to the semi-finals of the light middleweight (66-70kg) category following a dominant first-round RSC victory over Karnataka’s AA Saanchi Bollamma. Reigning champion Lalita from Rajasthan also progressed to the final four, narrowly defeating Komalpreet Kaur from Punjab with a 4:1 split decision.

Sonia Lather, a silver medallist at the World and Asian Championships, faced a tough challenge from Chandigarh’s Monika, winning by a slim 4:3 split decision to move closer to the final. Joining her in the semi-finals were Sanju from All India Police and Aparajita Mani from Uttar Pradesh, both securing vital wins to keep their championship aspirations alive.

Sakshi, representing the Services Sports Promotion Board and one of only two competitors from the unit, surged into the semi-finals with a first-round RSC victory over Ladakh’s Kulsoom. Having previously earned a silver medal, Sakshi is now just two wins away from claiming gold.