India’s star boxers dazzled on Saturday at the Paradise Arena in Mahe, delivering high-impact performances that secured six spots in the finals of the Seychelles National Day Boxing Tournament 2025. The semifinal clashes featured fierce exchanges, tactical brilliance, and a strong Indian presence that overwhelmed opponents from Seychelles, Mauritius, and South Africa.
Aditya Pratap Dominates Home Favourite in 65kg
Aditya Pratap of Uttar Pradesh stamped his authority in the 65kg semifinal with a ruthless display against Seychelles’ own Jovanie Bouzin. From the opening bell, Aditya controlled the pace, showcasing fast footwork and precision jabs. He never gave Bouzin a chance to recover. In the third round, he forced a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) after a series of clean and punishing combinations.
The 2024 Elorda Cup representative and National Combined silver medallist showed his maturity in the ring and confirmed his hunger for gold.
Neeraj Powers Through 75kg Bout With Early Finish
Neeraj delivered an equally emphatic statement in the 75kg division. He exploded with power punches and sharp bodywork, leaving his opponent stunned and reeling. By the second round, Neeraj forced another RSC decision, this time with even greater urgency than his teammate.
The National Combined silver medallist proved his evolution since his last international outing and now heads into the finals with momentum and focus.
Himanshu Sharma Outsmarts Mauritian Challenger
In the 50kg weight class, Haryana’s Himanshu Sharma used his experience to navigate a technical bout against Mathieu Soupprayen of Mauritius. Himanshu, a former Belgrade Boxing Champion and Elite Nationals bronze medallist, leaned into his ring IQ. He used feints, quick angles, and solid counters to frustrate his opponent.
Judges awarded Himanshu a 4:1 split decision in a bout that showcased tactical discipline and composure under pressure.
Ashish Mudshaniya Stays Unbeaten in 55kg Run
Ashish Mudshaniya from Uttar Pradesh displayed methodical control in his semifinal against Guillaume Francis of Mauritius. As the reigning National Combined Champion, Ashish entered the ring with confidence and never looked unsettled. He landed consistent scoring punches and never allowed Francis to find a rhythm.
Judges scored the bout 4:1 in Ashish’s favour, cementing his place in the final and keeping his unbeaten run intact in the tournament.
Anmol Keeps Cool, Outclasses Seychelles Opponent
Anmol from Haryana faced the challenge of performing against a home crowd in the 60kg division, but he thrived under pressure. Facing Dario Gaberiel of Seychelles, Anmol displayed slick footwork, head movement, and smart shot selection. He refused to let Dario settle into a rhythm and outboxed him from start to finish.
His composure earned him a well-deserved 4:1 split decision win and a berth in the gold medal match.
Kartik Dalal Fights Bravely in Narrow 70kg Defeat
While most Indian boxers marched into finals, Kartik Dalal battled valiantly in the 70kg semifinal against Blessing Nziyana of South Africa. Kartik engaged in a toe-to-toe contest, absorbing and returning pressure in equal measure. Despite a strong effort, Nziyana edged the bout with sharper counters and higher accuracy.
Judges handed Nziyana a 4:1 decision, ending Kartik’s tournament run. Kartik, however, walked out with his head high, earning admiration for his grit and resolve.
Gaurav Chauhan Targets Heavyweight Glory
In the 90+kg category, Gaurav Chauhan from Services enters the final without fighting a semifinal, thanks to a direct berth into the championship bout. Gaurav, a seasoned heavyweight with a gold from the 37th National Games and a bronze from the 2024 Elorda Cup, brings strength and experience to the Indian side.
He has trained specifically for the final, avoiding injury and fatigue, and will carry India’s hopes for a heavyweight gold on Sunday.
Sunday’s Finals to Test India’s Resolve
All six Indian finalists—Aditya, Neeraj, Himanshu, Ashish, Anmol, and Gaurav—face the biggest test of the tournament on Sunday, June 23, when they step into the ring for gold. Their journey so far has shown not only talent but resilience, mental toughness, and the ability to adapt to unfamiliar opponents and conditions.
Each boxer aims not just for personal triumph but to uphold the flag and spirit of Indian boxing on the international stage.
Indian Coaching Team Plays Pivotal Role
India’s coaching staff deserves credit for these consistent performances. They have tailored strategies, offered technical insights, and ensured that boxers recovered well between bouts. With a clear understanding of opponents’ styles and detailed bout planning, the support team has maximized each boxer’s potential in Mahe.
This structured approach, backed by international exposure and strong domestic competitions like the National Combined Finals, continues to produce podium-level results for India.
India’s Finalists at a Glance
- Aditya Pratap (65kg) – RSC win over Jovanie Bouzin (Seychelles)
- Neeraj (75kg) – RSC win in Round 2
- Himanshu Sharma (50kg) – 4:1 win over Mathieu Soupprayen (Mauritius)
- Ashish Mudshaniya (55kg) – 4:1 win over Guillaume Francis (Mauritius)
- Anmol (60kg) – 4:1 win over Dario Gaberiel (Seychelles)
- Gaurav Chauhan (90+kg) – Direct entry into final
All Eyes on Mahe for the Final Showdown
With six boxers in contention, India has a golden opportunity to dominate the medals tally at the Seychelles National Day Boxing Tournament 2025. As Sunday unfolds, boxing fans across the country will watch closely, hoping to see their champions bring home the gold and continue India’s ascent in international amateur boxing.
