Nitu Ghangas has assured India of its first medal at the Women's World Boxing Championships in New Delhi on Wednesday (March 22). This will also be the boxer's maiden medal at the World event. She did so by securing a place in the semi-final of the 48 kg category at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in the National Capital.
The 22-year-old Commonwealth Games gold medallist was at her aggressive best in this contest against her Japanese opponent Madoka Wada and the referee had to stop the bout to declare her the winner, guaranteeing India of at least a bronze medal. This has been a near-perfect tournament for her so far as Nitu has won all the bouts so far by knocking out the boxers she competed against.
Not all good news for Indian contingent at Delhi meet
However, it was not all good news for the Indian contingent at the World Championships. Manisha Maoun succumbed to a defeat in her quarter-final encounter against Amina Zadani. She lost the match 1-4 in a split decision on Wednesday, missing out on a podium finish. She was competing in the 57 kg category.
The competition is interestingly poised at the moment and several more medals could be secured by India with a half a dozen of its boxers including the defending champion Nikhat Zareen, Nupur Sheoran (+81kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Saweety Boora (81kg), Sakshi Choudhary (52kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (60kg).
India would be hoping for at leat a few of them to strike gold including Zareen who is the defending champion and knows what it takes to be win the gold at the highest level. Lovlina Borgohain also has tasted some success at the highest stage, famously winning the bronze medal at the Olympics but would now want to regain form and seal the meal in this marquee event happening at home.