In a glorious display of skill and determination, Indian boxers shone brightly at the World Boxing Cup Finals held in Noida. Leading the charge was the incredible Nikhat Zareen, a two-time world champion, who played an instrumental role in securing seven gold medals for the Indian women’s boxing team. Alongside her, Hitesh Gulia and Sachin Siwach contributed to the medal tally, bringing home a total of nine gold medals. This outstanding achievement marks a significant milestone as India captured medals in all 20 weight categories, finishing the tournament with nine golds, six silvers, and five bronzes.
On this remarkable day, 15 Indian pugilists entered the ring, showcasing their incredible talent and hard work. Among the gold medalists were reigning world champions like Jaismine Lamboria in the 57kg category and Minakshi Hooda in the 48kg category. Asia Games bronze medalist Preeti Pawar, world bronze medalist Parveen Hooda, former youth world champion Arundhati Choudhary, and Nupur Sheoran in the (+80kg) category also stood atop the podium.
However, it wasn’t just the golds that highlighted India’s boxing prowess. Jadumani Singh (50kg), Abhinash Jamwal (65kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Ankush Phangal (80kg), Narender Berwal (+90kg), and Pooja Rani (80kg) proudly earned silver medals, demonstrating their skills against tough opponents. Meanwhile, boxers Neeraj Phogat (65kg), Saweety (75kg), Sumit Kundu (75kg), Jugnoo (85kg), and Naveen (90kg) added five bronzes to the Indian tally.
The tournament, though not featuring some of the top-ranked boxers from around the globe, provided an important platform for Indian athletes to reclaim their form. The absence of heavier competition from formidable nations like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan allowed boxers on the comeback trail—like Parveen, Preeti, and Arundhati—to regain their rhythm and confidence amidst the event’s atmosphere.
One of the standout performances came from Jaismine Lamboria, who surprised everyone by defeating Olympic medalist Wu Shih Yi in a thrilling final. This stunning victory, captured with a score of 4-1, showcased Jaismine’s ability to maintain composure and strategic focus throughout the match. Preeti Pawar also continued her impressive run by beating Italy’s world championship medallist Sirine Charrabi, demonstrating superior footwork and relentless attacking strategies.
Nikhat Zareen’s rendition of boxing magic also deserves a mention. With a unanimous decision victory over Guo Yi Xuan from Chinese Taipei, she marked her first gold win since the 2023 World Championships. This victory not only symbolizes her return from injury but also solidifies her position as one of India’s top pugilists. Parveen’s narrow 3-2 victory over Japan’s Ayaka Taguchi and Arundhati’s commanding win against Uzbekistan’s Aziza Zokirova were additional highlights that added to India’s gold count.
In the men’s events, Sachin delivered an exceptional 5-0 victory against Kyrgyzstan’s Munarbek Uulu Seiitbek, showcasing precision and technique. Hitesh Gulia also brought excitement into the arena, rallying back from a tough start to narrowly defeat Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Mursal by a score of 3-2.
Despite the strong performances, the event wasn’t free from controversy. There were reports of internal friction within the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). During a Special General Meeting, dissent among certain state members surfaced, with claims of a no-confidence motion against president Ajay Singh. Singh rebutted these claims, emphasizing the need for unity and focus on the sport rather than internal disputes.
The boxing arena in Noida was not just about winning; it was about showcasing the strength and skill of Indian athletes. The results from this event bode well for the future as Indian boxers prepare for more challenging competitions ahead.
With a remarkable performance at the World Boxing Cup Finals, these athletes have certainly put Indian boxing on the world map, proving their mettle and passion for the sport.
#IndiaBoxing #BoxingChampions #WorldBoxingCup #NikhatZareen #WomenInSports #GoldMedals #JaismineLamboria #AsianGames #SportsUnity #IndianPugilists
Original Text – https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/woman-boxers-dazzle-with-7-gold-indian-pugilists-sweep-20-medals-1918480