Lovlina leads four Indian boxers into the finals

The rush of adrenaline, heart-stopping action, fearless spirit, and tactical nous made it a magical night to remember for Indian boxing. World champion Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Tokyo Olympics medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), promising star Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) and the seasoned Saweety Boora (81kg) produced stellar shows one after another to book four final spots for India at the IBA World Boxing Championships at the IG Stadium here on Thursday.

Such a collective high was unexpected given the stature of the opponents India's boxers were up against. But the quality and depth of Indian boxing shone through on a sensational night.

Two of the bouts, that of Nitu and Saweety’s -- went through the bout review process giving some anxious moments to the crowd but both had done enough in the third round to sail through. Nitu Ghanghas defeated Asian Champion and worlds silver medallist Alua Balkibekova 5-2 – an opponent she had lost against in the previous edition. Saweety emerged unscathed 4-3 against Australian Emma-Sue Greentree.

Nikhat rarely put a foot wrong against Colombian Valencia Ingrit Victoria -- the Rio Olympics bronze medallist – the toughest opponent she had to face in a grueling draw of five fights so far. Nikhat oozed class in dispatching her 5-0, and the way she dominated the contest. Come Sunday, Nikhat will be bracing up to create history. If she wins it will be her second world title. She will face two-time Asian champion Nguyen Thi Tam of Vietnam in the final. Six-time world championships gold medallist MC Mary Kom is the only Indian boxer with more than one title to her name.

“I fought her a long time ago and beat her. I was fully focussed for this bout though it has been a tough week with back-to-back bouts,” said Nikhat.

“She is a good technical boxer like me and I am at my best when someone plays clean. My strategy was to attack and not let her come close to throw her punches because then she becomes very aggressive. It was my best performance in the tournament. It has been a long tournament. I am hoping to win one more and defend my title,” said Nikhat.

But if there was one fight that stood out on this scintillating night, it was Lovlina Borgohain's astounding show against Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Li Qian. It was one of Lovlina's best performances since Tokyo as she outplayed Qian -- a seasoned boxer who is a two-time Olympic medallist and a three-time Worlds medallist.

“I have been winning bronze medals at major championships and this is the first time I am in a final, so I am elated with my performance here. She is very experienced in this category while I am still new to the weight (having shifted from 69kg welterweight) and it will give me a lot of confidence going into the final,” said Borgohain, who will be up against Australian Caitlin Anne in the final.

Earlier, Nitu was prepared to face her nemesis in the semi-final. She had lost to the Kazakh boxer last year in Istanbul worlds at the same stage. This time she changed her gameplan and fought from a close range. Going against her own style, Nitu adapted well to come through a tough fight that went to bout review

“She is very good from the long range. So, I was told by coaches not to give him too much distance and play closer to her. I had to be calm and not lose my patience,” said Nitu who will now face Asian Championships bronze medallist Lutsaikhan Altantsetseg of Mongolia.

A repeat of the 2006 world championships at home, when India had won four gold medals is on the cards, and that should be enough for the crowd to bring the noise.

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