Indian Boxers Nikhat, Lovlina punch Birmingham tickets for CWG

New Delhi: World champion Nikhat Zareen and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain sealed the spot in Indian women’s boxing team for the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) after winning their respective bout in the selection trials on Saturday.The Commonwealth Games 2022 will be held in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8.The three-day national selection trials was held here at the Indira Gandhi International Stadium.

Two-time world youth boxing champion Nitu and Asian championships bronze medallist Jaismine will join Nikhat and Lovlina in the four-member women’s team.Nikhat defeated Minakshi 7-0 in the 50 kg final. Lovlina showcased dominant performance in her 7-0 unanimous win over Pooja in the 70 kg.

“It was very difficult for me to get back to my competitive zone because I had not trained since the world championships,” Olympics.com quoted Nikhat as saying.

"I only started the training on June 3 and had to get fit again in just three days. I didn’t even manage 50 per cent of my world championships performance here and still have to work on my strength, speed and power in this weight category," she added.

Nitu, who made it to the final of the 48 kg after veteran boxer Mary Kom pulled out in the semifinals due to injury, beat former world championships silver medallist Manju Rani 5-2 via split decision.Jaismine, on the other hand, trounced world championships bronze medallist Parveen Hooda 6-1 in the 60 kg final. Also, she ousted Tokyo Olympian Simranjit Kaur in the semifinal.CWG women boxing team: Nitu (48 kg), Nikhat Zareen (50 kg), Jaismine (60 kg), Lovlina Borgohain (70 kg).(UNI)