It was a super Sunday for India at the Women's World Boxing Championships after star boxer Nikhat Zareen clinched her second successive title and two-time bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain claimed her maiden gold at the marquee event.
Nikhat beat two-time Asian champion Nguyen Thi Tam of Vietnam 5-0 in the final bout of the 50kg category. On the other hand, Lovlina broke her 'bronze jinx' and defeated Caitlin Parker of Australia 5-2 in the 75kg category to win her maiden title.
With this won, Nikhat became the second Indian to win multiple gold medals after legendary pugilist MC Mary Kom at the Women's World Boxing Championships. Mary Kom had won six World Championships golds in her career in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018.
Nikhat overpowered her opponent throughout the bout on Sunday and did not provide any chance for Tam to regain her balance.
"I am very happy that I have become a world champion for the second time, especially in an Olympic category," Nikhat said.
"Today's bout was the toughest for me, she is an Asian champion and my next target is Asian Games and I might meet her, so I will work hard," she added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both Nikhat and Lovlina.
"Congratulations to @nikhat_zareen for her spectacular victory at the World Boxing Championships and winning a Gold. She is an outstanding champion whose success has made India proud on many occasions," Modi tweeted.
“Congratulations @LovlinaBorgohai for her stupendous feat at the Boxing World Championships. She showed great skill. India is delighted by her winning the Gold medal,” he said in another tweet.
On Saturday, Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) and the seasoned Saweety Boora (81kg) were crowned world champions after notching contrasting wins at the marquee tournament.
Nitu put up a stupendous performance to see off Mongolia's Lutsaikhan Altansetseg 5-0 and claim the title in the minimum weight category in front of a packed crowd. Saweety made it two out of two for the hosts as she warded off a challenge from two-time medallist China's Wang Lina.
Hosts India are on course to match their best-ever performance in terms of gold medals won.
