Boxer Mohammad Hussamuddin, a bronze medalist at the World Championships, has returned to the Indian squad after a six-month absence due to a knee injury. He will participate in the Olympics World Qualification Tournament (WQT) in Italy from February 29 to March 12. Hussamuddin's comeback is expected to enhance India's prospects of securing a quota place in the 57kg category.
The squad for the Olympics World Qualification Tournament (WQT) features notable boxers including World Championships medalists Deepak Bhoria (51kg) and Nishant Dev (71kg), multiple Asian medalist Shiva Thapa (63.5kg), National champion Lakshya Chahar (80kg), former Asian champion Sanjeet (92kg), and Asian Games medalist Narender Berwal (+92kg) in the men's section.
In the women's section, Commonwealth Games medalist Jaismine Lamboria (60kg) and former World youth champion Arundhati Choudhary (66kg) have been selected. The boxers underwent a thorough evaluation process conducted by the high-performance coaching staff, considering various parameters.
“Our aim is to maximise India’s participation at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 and to achieve that we have undertaken a thorough and careful selection process for the first WQT. The high-performance team conducted a detailed evaluation process and gave points to boxers. Those securing highest points were selected. We are confident that these boxers possess the mettle to secure the coveted spots at the Olympics,” said Boxing Federation of India secretary Hemanta Kalita.