Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain
– Photo: Social Media
Expansion
The Indian boxing team’s High Performance Director Bernard Dunn has made it clear that the team for the Asian Games and Paris Olympics will not be selected on the basis of selection trials. Only evaluation of boxers will be followed for selection. Dunn has also made it clear that World Championship finalists Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain will get direct entry into the team for the Asian Games in the 50 and 75 weight categories.
According to Dunn, as per the new selection policy, boxers who reach the finals of the World Championships will get direct entry for the Asian Games. The Asian Games are the qualifiers for the Paris Olympics. Here the gold winner has to get the ticket to the Olympics. In such a situation, Nikhat and Lovlina have secured tickets for the Asian Games.
Trial will have to be given to enter the Olympic weight category
According to Dunn, as per the new selection policy, trials will be held among medal winners of National Championships, Commonwealth Games and World Championships to join the national camp in Olympic weight categories. Any boxer who wants to be included in the Olympic weight class evaluation has to give a trial. The boxers who come in the first two places in this trial will get admission in the camp.
Boxers competing in the World Championships in Olympic weight categories will not have to undergo trials. The top three boxers attending the camp will be selected for the Olympic team on the basis of evaluation. The women’s section at the Olympics consists of 50, 54, 57, 60, 66 and 75 weight classes. Boxers like Neetu, Manju Rani, Sakshi will have to enter the 50 weight category to stake claim for the Olympics.