Jyoti Gulia, Aakash Earn Late Call-Up as India Strengthens World Boxing Cup Squad

India's challenge at the upcoming World Boxing Cup Stage 2 received a timely boost on Saturday after Jyoti Gulia and Aakash were added to the national squad for the prestigious tournament in Guiyang, China , which gets underway on Monday.

Jyoti will compete in the 48kg category , while Aakash has been drafted into the 75kg division , strengthening India's overall contingent for the international event. The duo had initially missed out on the final government-sanctioned squad, creating uncertainty over their participation despite strong performances on the domestic circuit.

Their inclusion was eventually made possible through the intervention of Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh , who emphasised the importance of providing talented athletes with opportunities to compete at the highest level and gain valuable international exposure.

Highlighting the federation's athlete-first approach, Singh stated that international tournaments are crucial for a boxer's development and progression. He noted that every deserving boxer should have the chance to test their skills against world-class opponents and gather experience that can contribute significantly to their long-term growth.

The decision ensures that both Jyoti and Aakash will now get an opportunity to showcase their abilities on a major international platform, where they can measure themselves against some of the finest boxers from across the globe.

With the addition of the two athletes, India's contingent for the tournament has expanded to 20 boxers , featuring an equal mix of 10 men and 10 women . The squad largely consists of emerging talents and promising contenders who finished as runners-up in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games trials held last month.

The World Boxing Cup Stage 2 is expected to serve as an important stepping stone for India's next generation of boxers, offering them valuable competitive experience ahead of a busy international calendar. For several members of the squad, the event presents an opportunity to stake a stronger claim for future national team selections while gaining exposure against elite international competition.

As the action begins in Guiyang, Indian boxing fans will be hoping that the expanded squad can make the most of the opportunity and continue the country's growing presence on the global boxing stage.