India's star pugilists Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) and Saweety Boora (81kg) stormed into to the finals of their respective categories in the Women's World Championships on Thursday (March 23). Nikhat routed Rio Olympics bronze medallist Ingrit Valencia of Colombia 5-0 while Nitu got the better of Alua Balkibekova of Kazakhstan 5-2.
Meanwhile, Lovlina crushed Li Qian of China by a 4-1 to feature into her maiden final of the marquee tournament. Saweety also made it to the summit clash after edging past Australia's Sue- Emma Greentree 4-3 in the semifinal clash.
Nikhat saw off Valencia riding on the back of her exceptional speed and tactical acumen to continue her pursuit to the tite. Meanwhile Nitu and Balkibekova went all guns blazing in the first round. The Indian was on the back-foot in the opening round, but kept her composure and did enough in the remaining two rounds of the bout to become the first Indian to reach the final at these championships. Nitu will face Mongolia's Lutsaikhan Altantsetseg in the final, for her first-ever world championships gold medal.
Talking about the match Nikhat said," Firstly, today's was my fifth bout in this competition, everyday I'm improving. I'm very happy with the way I performed against such an experienced boxer."
Meanwhile Nitu said,"My first three matches all end with RSCs, and today the semifinal was tough. I had lost to her last time in the world championship on split decision. Today, I just wanted to win, and I managed to do that. I knew she was tiring, she was falling in the second and third rounds, and she was making me fall too, it was a sign that she was tired."
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