New Delhi: India's Nikhat Zareen became the first boxer to cement her place in the World Boxing Championships 2022 final with a stellar victory over Brazil's Caroline De Almeida in Istanbul on Wednesday. On the other hand, Manisha Moun (57kg) and debutant Parveen Hooda (63kg) settled for bronze medals.


A former junior world champion, Zareen stayed calm and dominated her rival to secure a 5-0 win in the last-four bout of the 52kg competition, PTI reported. The 25-year-old had clinched the gold medal at the prestigious Strandja Memorial Tournament in February.


"India's Nikhat Zareen becomes first Indian boxer to cement her place in the final of #IBAWWC2022 as she displayed her lethal form to eke out Brazil's Caroline in the semifinals. Go for the GOLD!" tweeted Boxing Federation of India.


In the last edition of World Boxing Championships, four Indian boxers returned home with medals. Manju Rani clinched the silver medal, while Mary Kom bagged a bronze.



In the World Boxing Championships, India's best performance came in 2006 when the country snared eight medals, including four gold, one silver and three bronze.


Manisha lost to Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Irma Testa of Italy by 0-5 unanimous decision. Manisha, 2019 Asian Championships bronze medallist, was competing in her second world championship. Even though Manisha tried hard to overcome her technically superior opponent with her power punches, Testa defended superbly without giving any chances to her opponent.


Parveen went down by a 1-4 split verdict to European championship bronze medallist Amy Broadhurst, PTI reported.