Unseeded Nikhat gets tough draw in Women’s World Boxing Championship

New Delhi. Top Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen received a challenging draw on Wednesday after being surprisingly unseeded in the light flyweight (50kg) category at the Women’s World Boxing Championships, starting here on Thursday. Defending world champion Nikhat will take on Anakha Nim Ismaila of Azerbaijan in the last-64 round. She can then go on to defend her title against Rio Olympics bronze medalist Ingrid Valencia of Colombia and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Tsuki of Japan in the semi-finals and final respectively.

Tokyo Olympics bronze-medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) has got a bye in the first round, while Sweety Boora (81kg) will enter the last-eight after being given a bye and just one win away from a medal. Lovlina will face Mexico’s Vanessa Ortiz in the pre-quarterfinals. Jasmin Lamboria also faces tough challenges as she is expected to face Rio Olympic champion Estelle Mosely of France in the quarterfinals of the 60 kg category. Preeti (54kg) will open her campaign against Hannah Lakotar of Hungary.

Host India’s other boxers are Neetu Ghanghas (48kg), Sakshi Chowdhary (52kg), Manisha Moun (57kg), Shashi Chopra (63kg), Manju Bamboriya (66kg), Shruti Yadav (70kg) and Nupur Sheoran (70kg). over 81 kg) will have a relatively easy initial run. The IBA (International Boxing Association) Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023 began on Wednesday with a grand opening ceremony at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur, IBA President Kremlev and BFI (Boxing Federation of India) President Ajay Singh were also present on the occasion. The tournament’s brand ambassador and six-time champion boxing legend MC Mary Kom was also present along with Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar as the ‘Guest of Honour’.

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