Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and world champion Nikhat Zareen headline India’s sturdy 12-member squad for the IBA Ladies’s World Championships to be held from March 15-26 on the Indira Gandhi Sports activities Advanced right here.
With India internet hosting the mega occasion — Delhi final hosted the 2018 worlds — a wealthy haul of medals is anticipated. Plenty of boxing nations, together with the USA and Nice Britain, have pulled out because of the row with the Worldwide Boxing Affiliation over permitting Russian and Belarussian athletes underneath their very own flag and anthem. That may present an exquisite alternative although for the house boxers to shine.
India gained three medals finally 12 months’s world championships in Istanbul. Nikhat was topped world champion in flyweight (52kg) whereas Manisha Moun and Parveen Hooda gained bronze.
Nikhat had dropped to 50kg with a watch on the Paris Olympics qualification this 12 months. Equally, Lovlina too has switched weight, going as much as 75kg from 69kg. It will likely be the primary main occasion for each the highest boxers of their new weight class.
Nikhat made the change on the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Video games and gained gold whereas Lovlina confirmed her class to win within the heavier division on the Asian Championships. She’s going to eye a 3rd worlds medal, having gained bronze in 2018 and 2019.
IBA has introduced a file prize cash of ₹20 crore for the championships.
“In the previous couple of years, India has change into a powerhouse of boxing and we intend to additional cement our standing with this proficient contingent for the world championships. It’s a line-up of champions and I’m certain they’ll convey glory to the nation once more,” Ajay Singh, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president, stated.
This time, the squad has been chosen on the idea of an ‘analysis course of’ and never by means of choice trials. Bernard Dunne, the excessive efficiency director, has devised a brand new choice coverage that’s based mostly on the boxers’ efficiency on the nationwide camp and rating on parameters like approach and talent, tactical potential, progress, weight administration, mindset, and so on. Those that win gold on the worlds might be mechanically chosen for the Asian Video games. Of the 12 boxers, 9 are nationwide champions.
The largest identify to overlook out is Parveen Hooda, who gained bronze the final time in 60kg however hasn’t been in a position to impress since transferring to 66kg on the Nationwide Video games final 12 months.
Focus might be on the six Olympic weight classes — 50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 66kg and 75kg –in which a proficient new crop will get a chance to impress. In 54kg, Preeti , who gained bronze on the 2022 Asian Championships, has made the minimize whereas 2022 CWG bronze medallist Jaismine Lamboria might be a contender in 60kg. Nationwide champion Manju Bamboria (66kg) can even be eager to show herself.
Greater than 350 boxers, together with seven Olympic medallists, from 74 nations will compete within the occasion.
Indian Squad-
Nitu Ghanghas (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (52kg), Preeti (54kg), Manisha Moun (57kg), Jaismine Lamboria (60kg), Shashi Chopra (63kg), Manju Bamboria (66kg), Sanamcha Chanu (70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Saweety Boora (81kg) and Nupur Sheoran (81+kg)