Lovlina, Nikhat bag gold at Women’s National Boxing Championships

Bhopal: Living up to their favourites tag, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and the reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen registered contrasting victories to clinch the titles while Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) lifted the team trophy with 10 medals at the 6th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championships in Bhopal on Monday.

While the Assam boxer Borgohain beat Arundhati Choudhary of Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) quite comfortably by 5-0 margin in the 75kg final, Zareen faced a stiff challenge from RSPB's Anamika in the 50kg gold medal match before the 26-year-old Telangana pugilist tilted the match 4-1 in her favour to successfully defend her title.

Players received the medals in the presence of Hon'ble Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur along with the Boxing Federation of India officials.

Another highlight of the day was Manju Rani, who led the domination of RSPB on the final day. The 2019 World Championships silver medallist handed RSPB its first gold after outpunching Tamil Nadu's S Kalaivani 5-0 in the 48kg final. Shiksha (54kg), Poonam (60kg), Shashi Chopra (63kg) and Nupur (+81kg) were the other gold medallists for RSPB, who also bagged three silver and two bronze medals.

Madhya Pradesh, with one gold, two silver and five bronze, and Haryana (two gold and two bronze) claimed second and third position respectively.

Manipur's young boxer Sanamacha Thokchom Chanu, who won gold medal at the 2021 Youth World Championships, also put up an impressive show to secure the title in the 70kg by beating Madhya Pradesh's Shruti Yadav 3-2 in the thrilling final.

Haryana's Manisha (57kg) and Saweety (81kg), SSCB's Sakshi (52kg), Madhya Pradesh's Manju Bamboria (66kg) also clinched gold medals in their respective categories at the prestigious tournament which witnessed participation of 302 boxers fighting in 12 categories. (UNI)