"Cannot rest on this": Coach eyes early LA Olympics qualification
Following success at the Asian Games, Indian boxing coach Santiago Nieva shifts focus to securing early Olympic quotas for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Following a stellar performance at the Asian Games, Indian women's boxing coach Santiago Nieva has made it clear that the team's celebrations will be short-lived. With the eyes of the pugilists already shifting toward the future, the primary objective is now to secure as many Olympic quotas as possible at the earliest opportunity for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The Indian squad recently enjoyed a historic run at the continental showpiece, delivering India's best-ever performance in terms of gold medals. The success was spearheaded by Lovlina Borgohain (women's 75 kg) and Parveen Hooda (women's 65 kg), both of whom clinched gold, while Priya Ghanghas secured a bronze in the women's 60 kg category.
The Road to Los Angeles 2028
Coach Nieva is mapping out a strategic pathway to ensure the boxers have maximum time to prepare for the Olympic stage. The journey toward LA 2028 begins in earnest at the 2027 World Championships in Kazakhstan.
“The first qualifier will be in Kazakhstan, which is the World Championships, where ideally we get as many quotas there as possible,” Nieva explained to SAI Media. He noted that the qualification process will be multi-layered, involving:
- The World Championships in Kazakhstan (2027)
- The Asian Olympic Qualifier
- Two additional Olympic Qualifiers scheduled for 2028
The coach emphasized that securing these spots early is critical. “Ideally if we get to qualify next year early on, we get a good preparation time,” he stated, adding that an early qualification allows the team to focus entirely on Olympic-specific training rather than the stress of qualifying tournaments.
A World-Class Support System in Patiala
The recent surge in form is no accident. Nieva, who previously served as the High Performance Director from 2017 to 2021, attributes the team's success to a rigorous, year-long preparation programme. This includes intense domestic camps, high-quality sparring, and frequent exposure to international competition.
At the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre of Excellence in Patiala, the infrastructure is designed to rival the best in the world. Nieva highlighted the massive support structure currently in place to nurture the boxers:
- Total Staff: Approximately 40 dedicated professionals.
- Coaching: Around 20 specialized coaches.
- Support: An additional 20 support staff members focusing on various aspects of athlete development.
- Facilities: Significant improvements in sports science, boxing halls, and high-end equipment.
“I would say there are not many countries who have better support,” Nieva remarked, noting that the setup is designed to provide every possible advantage to the athletes.
Preparation Through Global Sparring
To ensure the boxers were battle-ready for the Asian Games, the training regimen went far beyond the borders of India. The team brought in international squads, including teams from the Dominican Republic and Iran, to Patiala for high-intensity training sessions.
The final phase of preparation took place in Japan, providing the Indian pugilists with crucial sparring opportunities against diverse styles of boxing. While the results from the Asian Games and the previous Commonwealth Games in Glasgow—where the women secured six medals, including five golds—have been phenomenal, the mission is far from over.
“Having said that, we cannot rest on this. We have to continue looking forward and in the end we all want great success at the next Olympics,” Nieva concluded.