Women's World Boxing Championships: Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain win gold medal

The 26-year-old beat a two-time Asian champion in the final.

Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina were crowned world champions to make it four gold medals from as many finals at the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Delhi on Saturday. Zareen clinched her second consecutive gold medal at the worlds, after her gold performance in 52kg last year. This time she competed in the 50kg category and claimed gold. It was a maiden gold medal win for Lovlina Borgohain after two bronze medal wins previously.

Nikhat Zareen defeated Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Tam unanimously (5-0) in the light flyweight category (50kg) to win the final at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. This is her second consecutive gold medal at the Women's World Boxing Championships after having won in 2022 in the 52kg weight category. Tham is a two-time Asian gold medalist (2017, 2022) and won a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games. This is India’s third gold medal at the prestigious event with Lovlina Borgohain set to play later in the evening.

Zareen started the bout on an attacking move and scored a perfect 10 from all five judges in the first round. The Vietnamese boxer received a yellow card within the first few minutes which made her defend herself.

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The second and third rounds were contested equally by both boxers. Nguyen came back strongly in the second round with judges giving a spilt decision. Zareen received a yellow card in the opening minutes of round 2, but that did not stop her from attacking.

The Indian boxer landed a perfect punch on Tham and the referee had to make an eight count to continue the bout. Within a few seconds, Tham landed centre face punch on Nikhat and this time the referee had to make an eight count on the Indian. Both boxers after the match were equally confident of winning the encounter but Nikhat Zareen emerged victorious in the end. The final score from all five judges read 28-27, 28-27, 28-27, 29-26, 28-27. 

Nikhat Zareen started the tournament on a great note defeating Anankhanim Ismayilova via RSC (Referee stops count). She had easy victories in all five rounds (excluding the final). The two-time world champion defeated Rio Olympic bronze medallist Valencia (5-0) to progress to the final comfortably. Nikhat Zareen will be heading to the 2023 Asian Games (50kg) which will be an Olympic qualifying event. The top four at the Asian Games will make it to the Paris Olympics.

Performance at the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships 

Round of 64 - defeated Anankhanim Ismayilova (RSC)

Round of 32 - defeated Roumaysa Boualam (5-0)

Round of 16 - defeated Fatima Herrera (5-0)

Quarterfinals - defeated Chutamat Raksat (5-2)

Semifinals - defeated Ingrit Valencia (5-0)

Final - defeated Nguyen Thi Tam (5-0)

Lovlina Borgohain crowned world champion

Lovlina Borgohain made it four gold medals from four finals for India after defeating Australia's Caitlin Anne Parker in the 75kg category final at the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2023 in New Delhi on Saturday.

The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist produced a strong show to defeat the three-time CWG medallist by a 5-2 split decision after a review.Lovlina, a two-time Worlds bronze medallist, started cautiously with Parker landing the first blow with quick straight jabs. While the Australian started strong, it was Lovlina who finished better with a couple of uppercuts to take the round by a slim margin.

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Parker was in the attacking mood at the start of the second round connecting an uppercut on Lovlina. It gave way to blows from either end with the Australian taking the second round 4-1.

The bout hung in balance heading into the third and final round and both boxers were cautious not opening up much. But once again it was Parker who landed the first blow and Lovlina responded with hers before the bell rang. The match went into the bout review and by a split decision, Lovlina was crowned the world champion.

Performance at the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships 

Round of 16 - defeated Citlalli Ortiz (5-0)

Quarterfinals - defeated Rady Gramane (5-0)

Semifinals - defeated Li Qian (4-1)

Final - defeated Caitlin Parker (5-2)