Lovlina, Nikhat headline Indian contingent for inaugural World Boxing championships
This will be the first edition of the event organised by World Boxing, the newly formed global governing body for the sport.
This will be the first edition of the event organised by World Boxing, the newly formed global governing body for the sport.
Earlier in the day, two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen impressed on home turf, defeating V Lakshaya with a clean 5:0 decision to set up a 51kg final clash against Jyoti (RSPB).
Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain, former World Youth Champion Ankushita Boro and local girl Nikhat Zareen, the two-time World Champion, will be among the top pugilists battling it out for glory and a spot in the national camp at the elite women’s boxing tournament, to be played at the Saroornagar Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad from June 27-July 1.
Adding a new milestone to her illustrious journey, Tokyo Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain on Thursday realised a long-held dream with the launch of her very own boxing academy aimed at nurturing future champions.
“Assam is discouraging players from participating in the women's Nationals. Lovlina has recorded a video of support. But officers have received a call that she has been asked by Hemanta Kalita not to participate. Because she owes a lot to Assam boxing, she is reconsidering her participation,” Singh said in an “emergency press conference” here.
Indian officials will have representation across all key commissions, ensuring a decisive voice in policy-making and strategic direction. This includes BFI secretary general, Hemanta Kumar Kalita, who will have a key voice as part of the Olympic Commission and BFI treasurer, Digvijay Singh, who will officiate as part of the Finance and Audit Committee.
Lovlina’s win on Wednesday came after three of her teammates — Amit Panghal (51 kg), Jaismine Lamboriya (57 kg) and Preeti Pawar (54 kg) — crashed out of the Paris Olympics, after losing their respective bouts.
The Strandja Memorial Tournament is one of Europe’s oldest international sports competitions.
Late in the evening the 75 kg category bout turned out to be totally one sided as Lovlina showed no mercy on diminutive Mozambique boxer Adosinda Rady Gramane and won the contest 5-0.
"There is no sector where females are left behind. We are fortunate that the president of India is also a female," Thakur added.
