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Nishant Dev, India's boxing sensation, has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian male pugilist to secure a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 71kg weight class boxer achieved this remarkable feat by reaching the semifinals of the Boxing Olympic qualifiers on Friday.Dev's journey to the semifinals was marked by dominance and precision. In the quarterfinal, he faced Vasile Cebotari of Moldova, a fellow southpaw. Dev's sharp and accurate punches proved too much for Cebotari, as he secured a 5-0 victory. This triumph not only earned Dev a quota place but also marked India's fourth quota for the Paris Games.Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preet Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) had previously secured their Olympic berths. The 71kg weight class offered five quotas, and Dev's performance ensured India's presence in this category at the upcoming Games.Throughout the tournament, Dev has showcased his exceptional skills and composure. His ability to land punches judiciously and maintain his focus has been instrumental in his success. In the second round against Cebotari, despite facing some resistance, Dev remained composed and continued to deliver accurate shots.In the final three minutes, both boxers were visibly exhausted, but Dev's determination remained unwavering. He continued to land punches at will, forcing Cebotari to earn a point deduction for an illegal punch while Dev was down on the canvas.While India's quest for a quota in the women's 60kg ended with Ankushita Boro's defeat against Agnes Alexiusson of Sweden, the performances of Arundhati Choudhary (66kg) and Amit Panghal (51kg) are eagerly anticipated later in the day.Dev's achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of the Indian boxing fraternity. His quota place is a significant milestone for Indian boxing and sets the stage for a promising future at the Paris Olympics.

Two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen has added another feather to her cap by clinching the Elorda Cup in the Women's 52 kg category. Zareen defeated Zhazira Urakbayeva of Kazakhstan by a unanimous decision of 5:0.Zareen's victory was not the only highlight for India at the Elorda Cup. Minakshi (48kg), Anamika (50kg), and Manisha (60kg) also made their way into the finals with impressive performances. Minakshi and Manisha both secured 5-0 unanimous victories against their Kazakh opponents, while Anamika was declared victorious after her opponent was disqualified for excessive holding.However, not all Indian boxers were able to reach the finals. Sonu (63kg) and Manju Bamboriya (66kg) ended their campaigns with bronze medals after suffering defeats in their last clashes. Sonu lost to Uzbekistan's Zieda Yarasheva by a score of 2-3, while Bamboriya faced a tough 0-5 loss against China's Liu Yang.Shalakha Singh Sansanwal (70kg) and Monika (81 kg) will play their semi-finals later today. Four Indian men pugilists, Yaiphaba Singh Soibam (48kg), Abhishek Yadav (67kg), Vishal (86kg), and Gaurav Chauhan (92 kg), will also play their semi-final bouts on Friday.The Elorda Cup is an important tournament for Indian boxers as it provides them with valuable international experience and helps them prepare for upcoming competitions, including the Asian Games and the Olympics.

Parveen Hooda, one of India's four Olympic-bound boxers, is embracing the final stretch of her preparation for the Paris Games. Despite the sacrifices and challenges, she remains focused on her dream of Olympic glory.Hooda's journey to the Olympics has been marked by steady progress and unwavering determination. From her breakthrough victory over Sarita Devi in 2019 to her recent medal-winning performances at the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Asian Games, she has consistently proven her mettle.The 24-year-old boxer has identified the need to enhance her technical skills in preparation for Paris. She has expanded her repertoire beyond her signature counterattacking style, improving her ability to initiate attacks and fight effectively at all ranges.Hooda's transformation has also extended to her mental fortitude. She has worked diligently with a psychologist to strengthen her mental resilience, recognizing the importance of handling pressure in the high-stakes environment of the Olympics.Despite the intense training and sacrifices, Hooda remains grounded and focused on her ultimate goal. She has limited her phone usage, minimized social interactions, and adopted a strict diet to maintain her weight.Hooda's unwavering determination and belief in her abilities have been instrumental in her success. She is confident in her ability to perform well in Paris, knowing that she has overcome numerous challenges and gained invaluable experience along the way.

Lovlina Borgohain, India's boxing sensation, is brimming with confidence as she sets her sights on a second Olympic medal at the upcoming Paris Games. Having endured a challenging period following her bronze medal triumph in Tokyo, Borgohain has found renewed success in the 75kg weight class, which aligns better with her natural body weight.Since transitioning to the higher weight category, Borgohain has claimed gold at the 2022 Asian Championship and the 2023 World Championships, along with a silver medal at the Asian Games. This remarkable run has instilled in her a belief that she can replicate her Olympic success in Paris."My performance has been good after changing the weight," Borgohain said. "Winning the World Championship in the Olympic category was huge. I had to control weight before, but now I am set in this weight."The 75kg category has been an Olympic fixture since 2012, and Borgohain acknowledges the formidable competition she will face. However, she remains undeterred, citing her comfort in the weight class and her improved strength and conditioning."75kg is challenging, but I fit well in this category," she said. "I feel stronger and I am able to train better."Borgohain's agility and speed are key strengths, and she has made tactical adjustments to her game plan. "I have changed my technique a bit," she revealed. "Earlier I had a more defensive game, but now I go ahead and attack."As the pressure mounts ahead of the Games, Borgohain finds solace in meditation and prayer. "I always try to be calm even when I am at ringside," she said. "I meditate, do breathing exercises, and I pray. That makes me feel strong."Borgohain's determination and unwavering belief in her abilities make her a formidable contender for an Olympic medal in Paris. Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating that with hard work, resilience, and a positive mindset, anything is possible.

Cuban boxing coach Blas Iglesias Fernandez, a veteran of three decades in Indian boxing, has expressed his support for the Boxing Federation of India's (BFI) decision to revert to trials for boxer selection. Fernandez, who has witnessed the highs and lows of Indian boxing, believes that trials are a fairer and more transparent method.Fernandez, who has been appointed as the high-performance coach for the National Boxing Academy (NBA) in Rohtak, criticized the previous evaluation-based selection system implemented by former High Performance Director Bernard Dunne. He argued that the evaluation method was "needless" and did not provide a complete picture of a boxer's abilities."We must return to the system of trials, it was more fair and transparent and left no scope for ambiguity," Fernandez said. "Given a chance, I would like to propose some changes to the selection criteria. We need to ditch the system of evaluation as it doesn't present a complete picture."Fernandez, the only foreigner to receive the Dronacharya Award for coaching excellence, expressed surprise that Dunne was given a free hand to implement his selection policy. He believes that Dunne's changes were not in the best interests of Indian boxing."He took over the reins when India was among the top 15-20 nations in men's boxing. He came in and went about changing everything, which is not the way to go. I am surprised he was allowed to do this. The policy of no selection trials looks good on paper but practically it means nothing. The No.3 boxer can become No.1 in this process," Fernandez said.Fernandez is now focused on preparing a plan for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He believes that widening the core group by adding more youth boxers is crucial for creating a strong supply line."That's how you create a supply line," he reasoned. "As of now, the senior camp has three boxers per weight class and Fernandez wants to double that. I have started the phase of talent identification for 2028. We need more age-group events and more youth boxers in NBA. Ideally, we need 4-6 boxers in each weight category."Fernandez backed former world No.1 Amit Panghal to win a medal in Paris if he qualifies. "I think Amit and Nishant Dev have the best chance to qualify. Amit is a medal contender since he is very sharp at reading opponents. He is mature and has a good all-round game. Amit and (woman’s world champion) Nikhat Zareen are what I call universal boxers. If they are in form, they can come back with a medal from Paris."

Former Indian boxing legend Venkatesan Devarajan, who holds the distinction of being the first Indian boxer to secure a World Cup medal on foreign soil, has expressed his keen interest in assuming the coaching reins of the Indian boxing team. This development comes in the wake of the team's High Performance Director, Bernard Dunne, tendering his resignation following the team's dismal performance at the recent Olympic qualifiers in Italy.India's boxers failed to secure a single quota for the Paris Olympics at the world qualifiers, leaving only four Indian women boxers who have earned their spots through the Asian Games. With just two months remaining before the final Olympic qualifiers in Thailand on May 23, Indian boxing finds itself in a precarious position.While Dunne's resignation has been accepted, foreign coach Dmitry Dmitruk, who was brought in by Dunne, is also expected to be relieved of his duties. With four months to go until the Paris Olympics, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is likely to turn to Indian coaches to guide the team through these turbulent waters. A BFI executive committee meeting has been scheduled for Friday to deliberate on this matter."I am eager to impart my knowledge and experience to the team. If the BFI grants me the opportunity, I would be honored to assist the team. I intend to engage in discussions with the BFI," stated Devarajan, who clinched a bronze medal at the 1994 World Cup in Thailand. Devarajan represented India at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (bantamweight) and served on the BFI's selection panel for an extended period."Boxing is not merely a physical endeavor; at the elite level, it also becomes a mental game. Strategy, meticulous planning, and mental fortitude are paramount in boxing. When competing at the Olympic level, boxers must maintain emotional composure within the ring," emphasized Devarajan, an Arjuna Awardee who coached the World Boxing Series team Mumbai Fighters, which featured several international boxers.During his prime, Chennai-based Devarajan garnered two medals at the prestigious Cuba International Boxing Meet, Kings Cup, and President's Cup. He holds the distinction of defeating Mongolian professional boxer Lakva Sim, a world champion in two weight classes, on three separate occasions."I have had the privilege of training with the world-renowned Cuban team in Bangalore in 1991 and subsequently traveled to Cuba for further training. I possess the experience of competing at the highest level and preparing boxers for elite competitions. I am well-versed in the strengths and weaknesses of our boxers. In recent years, our boxers have adopted a uniform style against all opponents. We must employ diverse strategies and techniques based on the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents," asserted Devarajan, who believes that selection trials are crucial for assessing form and fitness.

Reigning national champion Lakshya Chahar's Olympic dream suffered a setback as he became the fourth Indian boxer to bow out in the opening round of the first World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Busto Arsizio, Italy.Chahar, competing in the men's 80kg event, faced a formidable opponent in 2021 Asian Championships silver medallist Gheshlaghi Meysam of Iran. Despite a valiant effort, Chahar was knocked out in the third round, ending his hopes of securing an Olympic quota.The Indian contingent has faced a disappointing start to the qualifier, with all four boxers who have taken the ring failing to advance to the second round. World Championships bronze medallist Deepak Bhoria (51kg), Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal (92kg), and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jaismine Lamboria (60kg) all suffered first-round defeats.However, five Indian boxers remain in contention for Paris Olympic quotas: world championships bronze medallist Mohammed Hussamudin and six-time Asian Championships medal winner Shiva Thapa. A semifinal finish will guarantee them a quota.India has already secured four 2024 Olympic quotas through Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Parveen Hooda (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), who clinched their entry at the Asian Games last year.Boxers who fail to earn quotas in Italy will have a final chance to qualify for the Paris Games at the second World Olympic Boxing Qualifier, scheduled for May 23 to June 3 in Bangkok.