India's star boxer Nikhat Zareen punched India's third gold in boxing after outfoxing Carly McNaul of Northern Ireland 5-0 in women's 48-50 Kg flyweight category in the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Sunday blockbuster. This is India's fourth gold of the day and the 17th overall in Birmingham. India also leapfrogged New Zealand in the medal tally to the fourth position.
The reigning world champion Nikhat battered England's Stubley Alfia Savannah 5-0 to cruise to the summit clash and assure a medal. Meanwhile, in the quarterfinal she defeated Helen Jones of Wales with a unanimous verdict win (5:0).
Nikhat started off the year by clinching a gold at the prestigious Strandja Memorial tournament before going on to become a world champion.
The Telangana boxer, who dropped from 52kg to 50kg for the CWG, glided around the ring, landing hooks and tight jabs at will. Her defence was equally impressive.
Such was her dominance that when the nine minutes ended there was no doubt which way the decision would go.
Earlier, boxers Amit Panghal and Nitu Ganghas bagged gold medals for India in the men's flyweight and women's minimum weight categories, respectively.
Having lost to a Briton four years ago at the same stage in Gold Coast, the 26-year-old Panghal was at his aggressive best against MacDonald as he clinched the yellow metal with a 5-0 verdict.
The dominating Panghal, who was lightning quick with his jabs, also left MacDonald with a cut above his right eye that needed a few stitches and a stoppage in play as the Indian was on song.
Using his height advantage, MacDonald tried to bounce back in the third round but the Asian Games champion had it easy.
The turning point for Panghal, however, was the semifinal win over Zambia's Tokyo Olympian Patrick Chinyemba as the Indian bounced back to win the bout.
Nitu, on the other hand, upstaged 2019 world championships bronze medallist Demie-Jade Resztan of England by a 5-0 unanimous verdict.
The first Indian boxer to take the ring, Nitu, competing in her first CWG, looked completely in control throughout the nine minutes, giving the home boxer no chance.
The atmosphere was intimidating for the 21-year-old facing the home favourite but she pinned her with her unwavering gaze into her eyes.
In a battle of two southpaws, the Indian who was taller than her opponent showed fluid and clever movements while stepping back to the rival's attacks.
The long-range shots being her advantage, Nitu used them to perfection to land her jabs perfectly on her opponent's face as she also won via 5-0 unanimous verdict to claim the women's minimum weight (45kg) gold.
On Saturday, Rohit Tokas (men’s 67kg), Jaismine (women’s 60kg) and Mohammed Hussamuddin (men’s 57kg) all won bronze.
