Danuska Da Gama
New Delhi
It was a spectacular Saturday at the IG Stadium, the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship, where two Indian female boxers won their respective bouts. Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) and Saweety Boora (81kg) etched their names in Indian boxing history as they were crowned world champions after notching contrasting wins at the marquee tournament on Saturday.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist 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, with Beijing Olympics bronze medallist and Nitu’s idol, Vijender Singh, also present. The thunderous cheering in the stadium and the dream come true moment for her in front of her family got the boxer emotional as the result was declared in favour of Nitu.
“I worked very hard, and it has been my dream to win a gold at the World Championship,” said an emotional Nitu. “My coaches, my family, and the boxers on my team have been my biggest support, and this medal is for all those who worked hard on me and believed in me,” she said.
The boxer from Haryana, who had Olympic medalist Vijender Singh in the audience cheering for her, said, “I am so happy for this girl who outperformed her opponent in a clear fight. She fought like a tiger until the last second, and this will again motivate girls to come into the boxing ring with hope.”
In the last bout of the evening, Saweety Boora, known for her unique style of boxing and for being a thorough entertainer in the ring, got a few cautions for clinching in the ring. Everyone was on pins as they watched the Indian get some punches on target, but in the second and third round, she realized she couldn’t let this bout slip through when she knew she could win it.
Dronacharya awardee coach Bhasker Bhat’s agitation through the rounds was inevitable. And at the end of the result, a split decision, there was relief.
Boora couldn’t stop screaming, and it clearly was a way of expressing, “How everyone who thought my boxing career was over and that my performance was not like it was a few years ago can now reassure themselves that I’m here to stay,” she said.
Boora, after a long wait of nine years, cruised into the finals, and she’s on top of the world. “Obviously next is the Paris Olympics,” says the girl from Rohtak. The three-time Asian medalist, who had luck on her side, played her first bout in the quarter-finals. After that win, she was assured of a bronze. The final was not an easy bout against China’s Wang Lina.
But Saturday was a prelude to what’s lined up for today, reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen and Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain, who will be in action. Of the four girls who reach the finals, it’s to be seen if the winning streak continues.
“I couldn’t be happier. Our girls have shown great performance, and their state of mind at the championship has made us believe that indeed Women’s Boxing is reaching its peak faster than we can believe,” said the president of the BFI, Ajay Singh.
He mentioned that India would bid to host an Olympic Qualifier here, which would be a great advantage to our players. The President of the International Boxing Association, Ar Kremlev, was excited to see the enthusiasm in India for boxing and said that India is the powerhouse of women’s boxing. This edition of the Women’s World Championship has seen the best.