1Researcher (Physical Education), Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur (Rajasthan)
2Supervisor, Department of Physical Education, Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur (Rajasthan)
Elite athlete development has become a central concern in Indian boxing as the country seeks sustainable success at international levels. However, athlete-centric empirical research examining the determinants of elite performance within the Indian context remains limited. This study addresses this gap through a focused case study of Manish Kaushik, an Arjuna Awardee whose career exemplifies progression from grassroots training to sustained elite performance. Emerging from a modest socio-economic background, his developmental journey through national coaching camps, structured training systems, and international competition provides a valuable lens for understanding high-performance boxing in India. The study aimed to examine the athlete's developmental pathway, identify key physical, technical, psychological, and environmental performance determinants, and generate applied insights for coaching and talent development. A qualitative-dominant mixed-methods case study design was employed, integrating semi-structured interviews, training and competition records, and secondary performance data to enable qualitative–quantitative triangulation. Findings indicate that elite boxing performance is driven by the interaction of advanced technical–tactical skills, psychological resilience, adaptive training periodization, and consistent institutional support. Psychological attributes such as mental toughness, competitive composure, and intrinsic motivation emerged as critical differentiators of elite consistency. The study offers practical implications for coaches, federations, and policymakers by advocating athlete-centered development models and evidence-based talent pathways to strengthen elite boxing performance in India.
Keywords: Elite Boxing; Athlete Development; Performance Determinants; Talent Pathway; Indian Sports System; Case Study; Elite Boxing Performance; Athlete Development Pathways; Performance Determinants; Indian Boxing System; Psychological Resilience in Boxing; High-Performance Training; Arjuna Awardee Case Study
How to cite this article: Kumar R, Sharma U. Elite Athlete Development and Performance Determinants in Indian Boxing: A Case Study of Manish Kaushik. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(11s): 77-84; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.11s.8
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: Nil