AIBA reveals new weight categories for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

AIBA reveals new weight categories for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

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After months of speculation, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) has approved the changes in boxing divisions that will be applicable from the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The men’s category will now have eight divisions, down from 10, while women have five divisions, up from three.

After a rather nervy wait, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) approved the changes presented to them regarding the changes in boxing divisions ahead of the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The approval meant that from Tokyo onwards, the men’s category will be allocated eight divisions (previously 10) while the women will now have five divisions (up from three).

This means that present Indian boxers like Mary Kom, Amit Panghal, and the others will have to rework their strategy heading into the qualifying campaign for the next Olympics. The Indian boxers will now have to prepare to face taller and more agile opponents who are above their weight class. For example, Amit Panghal will have to move up from 49 kg to 52 kg while Shiva Thapa, a 60kg division boxer, will now have to shift to the 63kg category.

Panghal, who bagged gold at last year’s Asian Games, enjoyed considerable success in the past 15 months in the light-fly division, having defeated Rio Olympics gold medalist and 2017 World Championship silver medalist - Hasanboy Dusmatov. However, the light-fly division is one of two weight-categories to be axed from the Tokyo Games. 

“For us, it is a hard blow as one of our strongest boxers (Amit) will have to shift to 52kg. We have seen what he has done in the 48 kg category. He has a small physique, and with this change, he will have to compete against much taller boxers,” Santiago Nieva, Indian boxing’s High performance Director, told the Indian Express.

With greater emphasis on women’s boxing, the 2020 Olympics will feature a record five weight classes for female Olympic boxers. Two weight classes, featherweight (57kg/125lbs) and welterweight (69kg/152lbs) have been added to the already existing flyweight, lightweight and middleweight.

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