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Indian boxers sharpen skills with international sparring partners ahead of Asian Games

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 3, 2026, 18:37 IST

Indian boxers are undergoing a multi-nation training camp at NIS Patiala, sparring with athletes from the Dominican Republic and Iran to prepare for the upcoming Asian Games in China.

Indian boxers sharpen skills with international sparring partners ahead of Asian Games

The Indian boxing contingent is currently fine-tuning its preparations for the upcoming Asian Games through a high-intensity multi-nation training camp held at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala. This strategic initiative has brought together a diverse group of international talent to provide the Indian squad with competitive sparring opportunities essential for their tournament readiness.

The camp features a total of 13 visiting pugilists, including 10 representatives from the Dominican Republic—comprising seven men and three women—alongside three athletes from Iran. Among the notable international participants are Paris Olympics bronze medallists Cristian Pinales, who competes in the 80kg category, and Junior Alcantara, who fights in the 51kg division. During the current training sessions, Pinales is sparring in the 90kg weight class, while Alcantara is working in the 55kg category.

Addressing training needs and logistics

Col. (retd.) Arun Malik, executive director of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), highlighted the importance of this collaboration, particularly for the heavier weight categories where finding suitable training partners can be challenging. The Dominican delegation has been stationed in Patiala since late August, with the Iranian contingent arriving on September 1. According to Malik, securing international sparring partners has been complex due to conflicting schedules, as many European boxers are preparing for their own continental championships, while athletes from the Americas are focused on the Pan-American Championships scheduled for mid-October.

Following the conclusion of the Patiala camp, the Indian team is set to travel to Nagoya for a specialized training stint running from September 9 to 16. This transition is a key component of their final preparation phase before the Asian Games.

Clarification on support staff

In response to inquiries regarding the allocation of support personnel for the 11-member Asian Games squad, the BFI addressed the absence of a dedicated masseur. Col. Malik explained that while deep-tissue massage is beneficial during training phases, it can be counterproductive during active competition periods. He emphasized that the current medical support structure, which includes two physiotherapists and a doctor, is well-equipped to handle athlete recovery, rehabilitation, and immediate medical needs such as cuts. The federation confirmed that a masseur will be available to the team during the upcoming camp in Nagoya to assist with training requirements.