Nitu seeks trials against Nikhat to decide Asian Games slot

Last weekend, when Nitu Ghanghas and Nikhat Zareen became world champions on a glittering night at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here, it underlined the passing of the baton from MC Mary Kom in the women's lightweight and light flyweight divisions. What it also did was throw up two genuine challengers for the 51kg class that Mary dominated and won the seminal Olympic bronze in, at London in 2012.

Shortly before the 22-year-old Nitu's final bout against Mongolia's Lutsaikhan Altansetseg in 48kg, Indian boxing team’s high performance director Bernard Dunne announced that the gold and silver medallists in Olympic weight categories at the worlds will be entered in the continental showpiece, giving a ticket to Nikhat for this year's Asian Games in Hangzhou, China as the 50kg champion in Delhi.

He said Nitu will be the No 2 boxer in that (51kg – lightweight) category. The lowest of the six Olympic divisions is 50kg, while the Asian Games competition will be in 51kg.

“Those who win gold and silver here are going to be selected for the Asian Games in the Olympic weight categories. But anything can happen between now and the Asian Games. Injuries can happen and our No 2 and No 3 athletes need to be ready if they are called upon," Dunne said.

Nitu proceeded to win the final by a 5-0 unanimous verdict, adding a maiden senior World Championships gold to her two Youth World Championships (2017, 2018) trophies. Bernard's decision coupled with the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) selection policy of relying on regular assessments in the national camp over selection trials to pick teams for major events have effectively ended Nitu’s chances for the Asian Games.

Nitu’s weight category (48kg) is not an Olympic or Asian Games division. The Paris Olympics will have six categories for women (50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 66kg and 75kg). The Asian Games will have five categories (51kg, 57kg, 60kg, 69kg and 75kg). Nikhat, by virtue of her twin world championships titles (52kg in 2022, 50kg in 2023) is a runaway favourite to represent the country in the 50/51kg divisions.

Nitu though wants trials for the Asian Games slot. “I may be No 2 in the pecking order but both of us are after one spot. It’s only fair that a selection trial is conducted. Both of us are world champions, so a proper trial to determine the better boxer should be conducted,” she said.

As per BFI’s selection policy, trials will be conducted in the categories where India didn't have a finalist at the worlds. “I respect BFI’s policy and decisions, but I feel I’m in the best form of my life. My confidence is higher than ever, my game has improved a lot and I feel stronger and better. I can’t think of a better time to represent India,” the 22-year-old said in an interview.

With a maintenance weight of 50kg, jumping a weight class won't be a problem for the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist. “In fact, I will be more comfortable in the higher weight as I won’t have to cut weight for every competition,” the boxer from Haryana said.

Nitu conceded that Nikhat was a fine boxer but she is not fazed at the prospect of a face-off against the two-time world champion.

"We have had quite a few matches in the national camp and I have never felt that I can’t beat her. Despite being in a higher weight class, her punches or power have never bothered me. It’ll be a great contest,” she said.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.