Lovlina Borgohain and Preeti Pawar Headline India’s 12-Member Squad for Usti nad Labem Grand Prix in Czechia

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced a formidable 12-member squad for the Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in Czechia, with Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and Asian Championships gold medallist Preeti Pawar leading the country’s challenge at one of Europe’s most prestigious boxing competitions.

Scheduled to take place from June 17 to 21, the tournament forms an important part of India’s preparations for a busy international season, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Featuring competition across 10 men’s and 10 women’s weight categories under World Boxing regulations, the event is expected to provide Indian boxers with valuable exposure against elite international opposition.

The biggest name in the Indian contingent is undoubtedly Lovlina Borgohain, who will compete in the 75kg category. An Olympic medallist and one of India’s most accomplished boxers, Lovlina has consistently delivered on the world stage over the past several years. Her participation at Usti nad Labem offers an opportunity to sharpen her form ahead of major championships later in the season while providing leadership to a relatively young Indian squad.

Joining her is Preeti Pawar, who recently emerged as the Asian Championships gold medallist and will compete in the 54kg division. Preeti’s rapid rise has established her as one of India’s brightest boxing prospects, and the tournament in Czechia presents another chance to test herself against quality international competition.

The women’s team also includes Sakshi (51kg), Priya (60kg) and Parveen (65kg), creating a balanced squad with a mix of established performers and emerging talent.

While the selected squad remains strong, India will be without two notable names. World No. 1 Jaismine Lamboria and Arundhati Choudhary have not been included as both continue their recovery from injuries. Their absence creates opportunities for other athletes to gain valuable international experience and stake their claim ahead of future selection cycles.

BFI’s decision reflects a cautious approach towards athlete welfare, prioritising full recovery over rushing key boxers back into competition.

The seven-member men’s squad combines promising youngsters with athletes who have impressed consistently on the domestic and international circuits.

The selected team comprises:

• Jadumani Singh (55kg)

• Sachin Siwach (60kg)

• Aditya Pratap (65kg)

• Sumit (70kg)

• Ankush (80kg)

• Kapil Pokhariya (90kg)

• Narender (+90kg)

Several of these boxers have already established themselves among India’s top-ranked competitors in their respective categories and will be aiming to use the tournament as a springboard for bigger events later in the year.

The European competition is expected to provide a stern test, exposing the athletes to varied boxing styles and high-pressure bouts that are crucial for long-term development.

With the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow drawing closer, tournaments like the Usti nad Labem Grand Prix have taken on added significance. Competing regularly against international opposition allows Indian coaches to evaluate tactical combinations, assess athletes under pressure and identify areas requiring improvement before major championships.

The event also serves as an opportunity for boxers to adapt to European competition environments, where technical styles and judging patterns can differ from those encountered in Asia.

For younger athletes in particular, such experiences are invaluable in accelerating their development.

Speaking after announcing the squad, Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh highlighted the importance of the tournament in India’s broader preparation strategy.

He described the Grand Prix Usti nad Labem as one of the most respected competitions on the international calendar and emphasised that exposure against strong global opponents is essential for building confidence and gaining experience. The federation has increasingly focused on ensuring Indian boxers compete regularly overseas, recognising that consistent international participation is vital for maintaining competitiveness at the highest level.

The Grand Prix Usti nad Labem has a history stretching back more than five decades and remains one of Europe’s premier invitational boxing tournaments. Its reputation for attracting high-quality fields has made it a valuable proving ground for athletes preparing for World Championships, Olympic qualification events and continental competitions.

For India, participation aligns with a long-term strategy of exposing its athletes to diverse styles and raising overall performance standards through regular elite-level competition.

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The combination of experienced names like Lovlina Borgohain and rising stars such as Preeti Pawar gives India reason for optimism heading into the tournament.

On the men’s side, the selected group has the opportunity to measure itself against some of the best boxers from Europe and beyond while continuing preparations for future championships.

As India builds towards Glasgow 2026 and other major international events, performances in Czechia will provide valuable insights into the progress of the country’s boxing programme.

With an experienced Olympic medallist, a reigning Asian champion and several talented young contenders in the squad, India will hope to return from Usti nad Labem with not only medals but also greater confidence for the challenges that lie ahead.