Final boxing qualifiers

Target Olympic Podium Scheme: Even though the country has only three quota places following the loss of Parveen Hooda's slot, Indian boxing coach C.A. Kuttappa believes the boxers can secure at least four to five more quota places in the final Paris Olympic qualifiers starting on May 25 in Bangkok, Thailand.

As of now, only Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) are confirmed currently to compete at the Paris Olympics and Kuttappa is confident that more can be won in the final qualifier, which will ensure a strong presence at the Paris Olympics.

Nine Indian boxers will be vying for these quota places, having benefitted from a preparatory camp held in the same venue since May 11. The camp, fully funded by the government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme and the Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd under a CSR partnership, provided a total of 10 boxers with valuable sparring sessions against strong international competition, including teams from the United States, Great Britain, and Ireland.