India's star women's pugilist Nitu Ghanghas scripted history as she won her maiden gold medal in 48 kg category in the World Boxing Championship at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi on Saturday (March 25). Nitu opened India's gold medal account after routing Altantsetseg Lutsaikhan of Mongolia 5-0 in the final clash via a unanimous decision.
Nitu is only the sixth Indian pugilists (male or female) to become a world champion. Two-time World Youth champion Nitu dominated Altantsetseg 5-0 in the first round but was handed a 3-2 warning in the second. She won the third round well to beat the two-time Asian Championships bronze medallist Lutsaikhan Altantsetseg in the summit clash. The 22-year-old Indian, who is a 2022 Commonwealth Games champion, competed in her second World Championships and has had a stellar campaign so far, recording three victories by Referee Stops Contest (RSC) verdicts. Earlier, Nitu eked out a 5-2 victory over Alua Balkibekova of Kazakhstan in the semifinal clash.
Meanwhile, gold rush continues for India as after Nitu Ghanghas, Saweety Boora grabbed the yellow metal for India in the Women's World Boxing Championship. The three-time Asian medallist Saweety Boora got the better of Wang Lina of China 4-3 in the 81kg final clash via a split verdict to clinch her maiden gold medal. The experienced pugilist from Haryana had to settle for the silver in the final of the competition in 2014 which was also against a Chinese opponent and hence, will look to go all out this time round to avoid a repeat of that result.
Also, reigning World champion Nikhat Zareen and the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain will play their respective gold medal match on action-packed Sunday.
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