Following their outstanding performances at the 2026 Asian Boxing Elite Championships, four Indian boxers—Preeti Pawar, Priya, Arundhati Chaudhary, and Sachin—have been elevated to the Core group of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Additionally, three other boxers have been added to the Development group.
This decision was made during the 172nd Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meeting held on Wednesday, as stated in a press release. Preeti (54kg), Priya (60kg), and Arundhati (70kg) clinched gold medals at the continental event in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, while Sachin (60kg) earned a silver medal. The MOC's decision was based on a thorough evaluation of recent performances, world rankings, and the athletes' progression.
Boxers Prepare for Upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games
Preeti is gearing up to participate in both the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan later this year. She will be joined by Jaismine (57kg), Priya (60kg), Arundhati (70kg), and Sachin (60kg). Preeti, Priya, and Sachin have qualified for the Asian Games based on the Boxing Federation of India's (BFI) selection policy.
Boxing is anticipated to be a key sport for India at the Commonwealth Games 2026, especially since other sports like shooting, badminton, wrestling, and field hockey may not yield as many medals.
New Additions to Development and TAGG Groups
The MOC has also inducted three additional boxers—Aditya (65kg), Deepak (70kg), and Harsh (90kg)—into the TOPS Development group due to their performances at the Asian Championships. Narender (+90kg) has been placed in the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG), where he will receive support leading up to the Asian Games 2026.
Both Harsh and Narender secured bronze medals, while Aditya and Deepak reached the quarterfinals at the Ulaanbaatar championships. India achieved a remarkable total of 16 medals, including five gold, three silver, and eight bronze, at the 2026 Asian Boxing Championships.
Understanding the TOPS Development Group
The TOPS Development group acts as a nurturing platform for emerging athletes, providing them with structured support, exposure, and monitoring as they aim for elite performance levels.
Currently, the TOPS Core group consists of seven boxers, the Development group includes 25 boxers, and the TAGG scheme features one boxer, as preparations ramp up for the upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games.
-
Iran war: Indian alternative investment firms in Gulf stare at sea of uncertainty
-
Germany's Merz: Climate protection must not hold economy back
-
Shocking Study Reveals Common Mistakes Leading to Erectile Dysfunction
-
FBI Investigation into NY Times Reporter Sparks Controversy
-
The Remarkable Benefits of Camel Milk for Health
