World Boxing Championships: Nikhat Zareen wins gold, becomes 5th Indian woman to win World title

Nikhat Zareen became the fifth Indian woman boxer to win a world title. She defeated Thailand's Jitpong Jutamas in the 52-kg category at the Women's World Championships at Instanbul on Thursday.

Nikhat won the final against her Thai opponent with a 5-0 unanimous decision in the mini weight category.

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Nikhat had a stupendous outing in the final as the Telangana boxer out-punched her Thai opponent to win via unanimous verdict with judges scoring the bout 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 in her favour.

This is India’s first gold medal in four years. Mary Kom (48kg) had won the last title in 2018.

Such was her dominant performance in the boxing world that the 25-year-old boxer won all her bouts in the World Championship with a unanimous decision.

Notably, six-time champion MC Mary Kom, Sarita Devi, Jenny RL, and Lekha C are the only other Indian women who have won the world boxing championship title in the past.

Mary Kom won the title in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018.

Sarita Devi became world Champion in 2006 while Jenny RL (2006) and Lekha KC (2006) in different categories.