Get ready for an exciting chapter in Indian sports! The appointment of Santiago Nieva as head coach of the Indian women's national boxing team has sparked a wave of anticipation.
Nieva, a seasoned professional with an impressive track record, is no stranger to Indian boxing. He previously served as the high-performance director from 2017 to 2021, and now, he's back to lead the women's team into a new Olympic cycle.
"I'm thrilled to return to India. My previous stint here was incredible," Nieva expressed. "I'm eager to embark on this new journey and create something extraordinary together."
But here's where it gets controversial... Nieva believes in the immense potential of the Indian women's team. He aims to guide them towards historic achievements at the 2028 Olympics in LA. With his experience working with women boxers, he's confident they can make a mark on the global stage.
During his previous tenure, Nieva played a pivotal role in India's boxing success. He helped secure two podium finishes at the 2019 World Championships, including Amit Panghal's historic silver and Manish Kaushik's bronze. Additionally, he contributed to India's largest-ever Olympic boxing squad at Tokyo 2020, where Lovlina Borgohain brought home a bronze medal.
With over two decades of elite international coaching experience, Nieva has held influential positions in world boxing. After his time with India, he served as national head coach and technical lead for Boxing Australia's high-performance unit. Prior to that, he shaped Sweden's national program as head coach and sports director, guiding athletes through various prestigious competitions.
Now, Nieva's focus is on establishing Indian women boxers as consistent medal contenders globally. The team has already made significant strides, most notably at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 in Greater Noida, where they dominated with seven gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
Nieva steps into the role previously held by D Chandralal, who will continue to contribute as part of the coaching staff.
As the Indian women's boxing team embarks on this new journey, the question arises: Can they continue their upward trajectory and make history at the 2028 Olympics? What do you think? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments!
