Pithoragarh Rings the Bell: State-Level Boxing Championship Kicks Off!
277 boxers compete at the Surendra Singh Valdiya Sports Stadium in Pithoragarh. Discover the first-day winners and event highlights.
The energy is electric at the Surendra Singh Valdiya Sports Stadium as the state level boxing championship Pithoragarh officially commenced on October 22, 2026. In a grand opening ceremony, District Magistrate Ashish Kumar Bhatgain inaugurated the four-day sporting extravaganza, which is set to run until October 25, 2026.
This high-stakes tournament is a collaborative effort bringing together the Uttarakhand Sports Directorate, the Pithoragarh Sports Department, and the District Boxing Association Pithoragarh to showcase the finest boxing talent in the region.
A Massive Gathering of Talent
The championship has drawn a significant crowd of athletes, with a total of 277 sub-junior and junior boxers, both male and female, stepping into the ring. The participants represent various districts including Dehradun, Haridwar, Almora, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh, as well as athletes from state sports colleges and SAI centers.
The breakdown of the competitors highlights the growing interest in the sport across different age groups:
- Sub-Junior Boys: 92 participants
- Sub-Junior Girls: 36 participants
- Junior Boys: 103 participants
- Junior Girls: 46 participants
According to District Sports Officer Anoop Bisht, the categories are strictly divided by birth years, with the sub-junior category featuring athletes born in 2012-13 and the junior category comprising those born in 2010-11.
First-Day Fireworks: Early Victories
The opening day saw intense bouts and impressive displays of skill. In a highlight match of the 54-57 kg weight category, Pithoragarh's own Gaurav Singh clinched a decisive victory over Shaurya Bisht from Nainital.
Sub-Junior Boys' Standouts
The sub-junior division witnessed strong performances from several fighters. Along with Gaurav Singh, other winners on the first day included:
- Mayank Adhikari
- Neeraj Chand
- Bharat Singh
In a gripping pre-quarter final bout in the 43-46 kg category, Mayank Adhikari of Sports Hostel Kotdwar emerged victorious after defeating Yogesh Prasad from Pithoragarh.
Junior Boys' Dominance
The junior category also saw a wave of winners who dominated their respective matches, including:
- Himanshu Koranga
- Ashish Kanyal
- Ayush Khanka
- Krishna
- Lalit Singh Bisht
- Ansh Bisht
- Pratham Chandra
- Himanshu Bhandari
Organizing the Clash
To ensure the competition is fair and runs smoothly, the Boxing Association has deployed a team of 30 qualified officials. The inauguration was graced by several dignitaries, including CEO Tarun Pant and District Youth Welfare Officer Dr. Jagdish Negi, along with officials Bhaskar Chandra Bhatt, Sanjay Saran, and Chandrashekhar Mahar.
Adding to the inspiration for the young athletes, international players Nikita Chand and Khushi Chand were also in attendance to witness the rising stars of Uttarakhand boxing.
As the tournament progresses toward its conclusion on October 25, the top performers will be honored with medals, awards, and certificates presented by the Sports Department.