National Women’s Boxing Championship: Nikhat Zareen’s title retained … Lovlina also captured gold

Reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain won gold medals at the 6th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championships. While Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) captured the team trophy with 10 medals. While Lovlina beat Services Sports Control Board’s (SSCB) Arundhati Chowdhary 5-0 in the 75kg final, 26-year-old Nikhat faced a tough fight from RSPB’s Anamika in the 50kg final. Nikhat saved her title by making the result 4-1 in her favor.

In the day’s other bout, 2019 World Championships silver medalist Manju Rani defeated Tamil Nadu’s S. Beating Kalaivani 5-0 gave RSPB its first gold. Shiksha (54kg), Poonam (60kg), Shashi Chopra (63kg) and Nupur (+81kg) also won gold medals for RSPB. Apart from five gold, Railways also won three silver and two bronze medals.

Madhya Pradesh secured the second position with one gold, two silver and five bronze while Haryana (two gold and two bronze) finished third. Manipur’s young boxer Sanamacha Thokchom Chanu, who won the gold medal in the 2021 Youth World Championship, also won the 70 kg category gold medal by defeating Madhya Pradesh’s Shruti Yadav 3-2 in the thrilling final.

Haryana’s Manisha (57kg) and Sweety (81kg), SSCB’s Sakshi (52kg), Madhya Pradesh’s Manju Bamboriya (66kg) also won gold medals in their respective categories.