Finance
India continues to make rapid progress in the boxing world, having risen to third place in the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) latest world ranking.
India accumulated 36,300 ranking points as a result of its boxers’ outstanding performances, trailing only Kazakhstan (48,100) and Uzbekistan (37,600). They have also surpassed top boxing powerhouse nations such as the United States and Cuba, which are currently ranked fourth and ninth in the world rankings.
“This is a milestone moment for India, BFI, its boxers and all the fans out there. From the 44th position a few years ago to the third, Indian boxing has taken a giant leap. BFI has been working hard to fulfil the mission of making India a boxing powerhouse and it has ensured the best facilities for players across all age groups, helping them build confidence with regular state and national championships, foreign exposure trips and necessary support systems,” said Ajay Singh, President of Boxing Federation of India.
“This ranking indicates India’s rapid growth as a boxing nation and also shows its strong position in the world which has been built over the last few years in a focused manner,” said the BFI president.
In recent years, Indian boxing has seen an unprecedented rise, with teams consistently finishing among the top five countries at global multi-nation tournaments such as the World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. Indian boxers have won an unprecedented 16 medals in the last two Commonwealth Games (CWG), and they have 140 medals to their names in top international events since 2008.
Indian boxers have won 16 Elite World Championship medals in men’s and women’s categories since 2016. BFI has also hosted several high-profile international events in India, and from March 15 to 26, it will host the prestigious Women’s World Boxing Championships for the third time.
“Hosting big international tournaments play a crucial role in encouraging domestic growth of the sport as well as inspiring the next generation to take up the game. The world has already witnessed our hosting abilities with the Youth Women’s World Boxing Championships in Guwahati in 2017 followed by the Elite Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi in 2018 and now we are set to organise the third World Elite Women Championships.”
India’s outstanding performance has extended to the junior and youth levels, with 22 medals from the last two Youth World Championships pointing to a bright future for Indian boxing.
Source:OCN
