New Delhi [India], March 15 (ANI): Star boxer Nikhat Zareen will kick off India’s problem on the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023 on Thursday because the nation’s pugilists had been handed a blended draw.
The reigning champion Zareen could have a straightforward begin when she faces Azerbaijan’s Anakhanim Ismayilova within the 50kg Round-of-64 however defending her crown would possibly get difficult with the potential opponents, Rio Olympics bronze medallist Ingrit Valencia of Colombia and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Japan’s Tsukimi Namiki, ready for her within the semi-final and last respectively.
Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) has obtained a bye within the opening spherical whereas Saweety Boora (81kg) can be only a win away from securing the medal as she begins within the Last-8 after being given a bye within the opening spherical.
Lovlina will face Mexico’s Vanessa Ortiz within the Round-of-16. However, a mouth-watering semi-final conflict between two Olympics medallists can be on the playing cards because the Indian is positioned together with Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Li Qian of China in the identical half.
Jaismine Lamboria additionally faces powerful hurdles as she should probably overcome a powerful title contender, the Rio Olympics champion Estelle Mossely of France within the 60kg quarter-finals whereas the silver medallist from the Tokyo Olympics Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil is positioned within the different half.
Similarly, Preeti (54kg), who begins her marketing campaign in opposition to Hungary’s Hanna Lakotar, additionally handed a troublesome path as she is prone to face the final version’s silver medallists Lacramioara Perijoc of Romania and Jutamas Jitpong within the second and third spherical respectively. Thai boxer Jitpong had misplaced to Nikhat within the final version’s last.
The prestigious match was kicked off with a grand opening ceremony on the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex on Wednesday which was additionally attended by the Honourable Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur, IBA President Kremlev and BFI President Ajay Singh.
Tournament’s model ambassador and six-time champion nice MC Mary Kom was additionally current together with the visitor of honour Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar.
Country’s different boxers Nitu Ghanghas (48kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (52kg), Manisha Moun (57kg), Shashi Chopra (63kg), Manju Bamboriya (66kg), Shruti Yadav (70kg) and Nupur Sheoran (81kg) could have comparatively simple path on the on-going championship, which is hosted by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) from March 15 to March 26.
Besides Zareen, Sakshi, Nupur and Preeti may also be seen in motion on Thursday. The world’s largest boxing occasion, which is being performed in India for the document third time, will witness high-voltage motion within the presence of 324 boxers, together with a number of Olympics medallists, from 65 international locations.
The biennial occasion may also see an enormous prize pool of INR 20 crore because the boxers will compete in 12 weight classes. Sanamacha Chanu was dominated out of the match after struggling a concussion throughout her coaching and the choice was taken after a preliminary medical examination by the group physician, maintaining in thoughts the long-term well being and future prospects of the athlete. The reserve boxer Shruti Yadav has changed Chanu and can symbolize the nation within the 70kg class. (ANI)