Picture : Twitter/ ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated boxer Nikhat Zareen for clinching the coveted gold in flyweight (52kg) division at the Women’s World Championship, and said Indian pugilists had made the people of the country proud.
“Our boxers have made us proud! Congratulations to @nikhat_zareen for a fantastic Gold medal win at the Women’s World Boxing Championship,” Modi tweeted. “I also congratulate Manisha Moun and Parveen Hooda for their Bronze medals in the same competition,” he said.
Our boxers have made us proud! Congratulations to @nikhat_zareen for a fantastic Gold medal win at the Women’s World Boxing Championship. I also congratulate Manisha Moun and Parveen Hooda for their Bronze medals in the same competition. pic.twitter.com/dP7p59zQoS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2022
Earlier , the Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen emerged world champion with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Thailand’s Jitpong Jutamas in the flyweight (52kg) final of the Women’s World Championships in Istanbul on Thursday. The Telangana boxer out-punched her Thai rival to win via unanimous 5-0 verdict.
With this win, Zareen became only the fifth Indian boxer to be crowned world champion.
Six-time champion Mary Kom (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018) Sarita Devi (2006), Jenny RL (2006) and Lekha KC (2006) are the other pugilists who have won the world title. Apart from Zareen’s gold, Manisha Moun (57kg) and debutant Parveen Hooda (63kg) will return home with bronze medals.
Later Zareen was quoted by ANI saying, All of it was possible due to my parents’ support as they stood by me during tough times. My injury made me stronger. I decided to fight and not quit while working on my weaknesses in the last 2 yrs. I was determined to give my best.
A 12-member Indian contingent was sent to participate in the competition and while the medal haul has decreased by one, an Indian has been crowned world champion after four years, Mary Kom had last won the gold in the 48kg in the 2018 edition.
