Nikhat, Lovlina Shine as SSCB Dominates Elite National Boxing Championships
Image Source: Internet
The Elite National Boxing Championships concluded in Greater Noida on Saturday, with Nikhat Zareen claiming her third national title in the flyweight (51kg) category. Nikhat defeated Nitu Ghanghas, the 2023 world champion in the 48kg category, in a closely contested final. Nitu started aggressively but Nikhat responded well with counter-punches, taking control of the bout in the next two rounds. Nikhat expressed her confidence in starting the new season as a national champion and is looking forward to the upcoming big events, including the Asian Championships in March and the Commonwealth Games. She plans to work with new coach Santiago Nieva to improve her speed, endurance, and strategies against top international boxers. Lovlina Borgohain, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, asserted her dominance in the middleweight division, defeating Sanamacha Chanu by a unanimous decision. Other winners included Minakshi Hooda in the 48kg category, Preeti Sai Pawar in the 54kg category, and Pooja Rani, who clinched her 10th national title. In the men's section, Jadumani Singh won his maiden national title in the 55kg category, while Mohammed Hussamuddin made a fine comeback to defeat defending champion Sachin in the 60kg final. Aditya Pratap of Services pulled off a major upset, defeating fancied opponent Abhinash Jamwal in the 65kg final. SSCB dominated the championships, winning nine titles in men and three in the women's category, with 20 out of the 25 boxers competing in the finals representing the Services.
