Light flyweight

Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports: Defending champions Minakshi and Anamika Hooda kept their title reigns intact, punching their way into the final of the 8th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championship with contrasting victories on Wednesday. Reigning Minimumweight (45-48kg) champion Minakshi (AIP) was unstoppable, overpowering Delhi’s Sanjana with a third-round RSC victory to book her place in the final.

Meanwhile, Light Flyweight (48-51kg) titleholder Anamika Hooda (RSPB) faced her toughest test yet, battling past Tamil Nadu’s Kalaivani S in a nail-biting 4:3 split decision win. Minakshi will now take on Yasika Rai (Sikkim), while Anamika is set for a showdown against Haryana’s Tamanna in their respective final bouts.

Hosted by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Boxing Association, the championship takes place at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, ending on March 27. In all, 188 boxers from 24 state units are competing across ten weight categories in this week-long tournament, which follows the World Boxing Technical & Competition Rules, featuring three three-minute rounds with one-minute rest intervals.