2nd Junior boxing Nationals from today

Chandigarh: Over 750 boxers, including 300 in the womens section, will participate in the second BFI Junior National Championships, starting at the Chandigarh University, Mohali, from Wednesday.

The event organised by the Punjab Boxing Association gives an opportunity to the young pugilists, representing 30 states in 13 weight categories, to come up through the ranks and enter the mainstream of boxing to be able to get noticed at the international level.

The seven-day championships are expected to be as riveting as it can get with boxers from Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, to name a few states, will vie with one another to win the team championships in both sections.

While intensity among the pugilists will be something to watch out for, Punjab boxer Khushi, a silver medallist in the 2nd Nation's Cup at Serbia, earlier this year will be packing punches in the 70 kg class while last year's national champion and gold medallist in Serbia, N Baby Rojisana (52Kg) from Manipur; Arundhati Choudhary and Mitika Sanjay Gunele (66kg) from Rajasthan and Maharashtra respectively during the second edition of the Junior Girl's Nationals.

On the other hand, the competition amongst the boys will be equally fierce.

Vinit Kumar (75kg) medallist in Asian Junior Championship in 2017 will be representing Haryana while pugilists from other states will be up for strong challenges as SSCB boxers and gold medallists in Serbia, K Sanjit Singh (46 kg) and Biswamitra (48 kg) will aim for no less than gold at the second edition of the Junior Boy's Nationals.

Khelo India gold medallist Ajay Kumar of Haryana will also be throwing in his punches in the 60kg category.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) since its inception in mid 2016, have ensured all age group nationals are staged with able participation in all weight categories.

The first edition of the Junior Boy's Nationals was held in Guwahati in 2017 and the girl's nationals were held in Rohtak, last year.