Several top international boxers in fray in the India Open International Boxing Tournament

India Open

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The second editions of the India Open International Boxing Tournament to be held at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati from May 20-24 will see top boxers from major powerhouses. The list of the boxers included Asian Games gold medallists Baturov Bobo, Mirzakhalilov Mirazizbek and world champion Josie Gabuco.

Disclosing the news to a media conference the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) Executive Director RK Sacheti said, “Assam in the past hosted the World Youth Championships and AIBA is very satisfied the way previous meet was being organized. So they allowed us to host this event in Guwahati.”

He added: “38 men and 37 women from India and a total of nearly 200 pugilists from 16 boxing powerhouses will be vying for glory. There would be altogether 10 categories in the men’s event and 8 in the women’s section.”

The media briefing was also attended by the Chairman of the Organizing

Committee Lakhya Konwar. Addressing the media Konwar said, “We had earlier hosted the World Youth Championships but having an opportunity to host an elite international tournament with the world’s best boxers is not just a chance to promote the sport but also to showcase boxing in the North-East. We hope hosting the tournament here will help to take it further to the next level in the North-east region.”

Altogether six boxers from Assam will represent India in the forthcoming tournament and they are: Shiva Thapa (60kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg),

Ankushita Boro (64kg), Bhagyabati Kachari (75kg), Jamuna Boro (54kg) and Pwilao Basumatary (64kg). The tournament will see London Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom making her competitive debut at home in 51kg.

The total prize money in the competition is $70,000.Gold medallist will get $2500 and the silver medallist will earn $1000.

Among other presents in the media conference was the president and the secretary of the Assam Boxing Association Kalikanta Boro and Hemanta Kalita respectively along with the Director of the Sports and Youth Welfare Dharmakanta Mili.

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