Shillong, May 1: The State Boxing Championship 2025-26 concluded at Mawlai Mawroh here yesterday evening with Meghalaya’s next crop of young boxers making a strong statement as to their fighting potential in the ring.
The four-day event was organised by the Meghalaya Boxing Association (MBA) with support from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.
A total of 105 boxers represented eight districts and established boxing clubs. The championship was for boys and girls in junior (15-16 years) and youth (17-18) categories, further subdivided by weight, according to national and international norms.
Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang was the chief guest at the closing ceremony, while Lakshay Sharma, representative of Delhi Public School and the SHAIL Group, was the special guest.
Four Best Boxer awards were handed out to the most impressive pugilists in each category, with Evangellyne Sohbar of Ri-Bhoi winning the Junior Girls award, Damonlang Marbaniang of Green Heart Boxing Club the Junior Boys award, Ekyrpangmeki Sohiong of Ri-Bhoi the Youth Girls award and Amethyst Synnah of West Jaintia Hills the Youth Boys award. The Emerging Boxer of the Championship was Casbe K Marak of West Garo Hills. (All pictured left to right top row and left to right second row)
In his speech, the Mawlai MLA encouraged the young boxers to be mentally and physically fit and pointed to Meghalaya’s most successful boxer, Torak Kharpran, as a fitting role model for all aspiring boxers as he has gone from winning medals in the ring nationally and internationally to now being a coach of the Indian senior team.
The atmosphere ringside was electric, especially towards the last few bouts of the youth men category.
Four of the six youth men finals were ended via RSC (referee stopped contest), where the referee decides during a round that a fighter cannot safely continue the match.
Amethyst won his 48-50kg final in this way over Samuel Sohphoh of Ri-Bhoi in the second round. Casbe also lost his bout to Rang-i-man Lamin of West Jaintia Hills by RSC in the 65-70kg weight group.
There were some close finals, however, with Russell Fabian Nongkhlaw of Mawshbuit Boxing Club winning on points in the 45-48kg via split decision against Banchanmeki Pyrtuh of Green Heart Boxing Club. Ekyrpangmeki was taken the distance in her 48-51kg youth women final by Laweibaphyrnai Marwein of Eastern West Khasi Hills but won by unanimous decision on points.
Despite their ages, the boxers showed themselves to be highly capable in the ring, which is a testament not just to their own prowess but to the efforts of their coaches, district associations and clubs. Forty-five senior boxers are already in training for next year’s National Games but there may have also been some breakout talents to have emerged from this championship ready to give it their all on the big stage in 2027.
List of medallists:
Evangellyne Sohbar (RB) – gold
Aarush Biswa (NABC) – silver
Aaron T Sangma (WGH) & Mevin Tariang (NABC) – bronze
(Meghalaya Boxing Association photos)
