IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships: Nikhat, Sakshi, Nupur, Preeti punch their way in round two

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New Delhi, March 16: India had a terrific start to the opening day of the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2023 as all four pugilists won their respective bouts on Thursday (March 16).

Star boxer Nikhat Zareen started the proceedings on a dominant note at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi as she outpunched her opponent to win the first bout of the competition.

Later in the day, Sakshi Chaudhary, Nupur Sheoran and Preeti also made winning starts in their campaign. Preeti - who is the youngest member of the Indian squad in the competition - finished on the lines of Nikhat, by winning her bout via RSC

Nikhat Zareen starts with a win

With her exuberant show, the 26-year-old boxer from Telangana - who bagged a gold in 52kg in the previous edition in Turkey - began in style and took over just four minutes to outplay Anakhanim Ismayilova with the Referee Stops Contest (RSC) verdict in the 50kg opening round contest.

The pugilists from Azerbaijan looked clueless against Zareen's strong jabs and quick movement in a thoroughly lopsided bout. The Indian will take on top-seeded Roumaysa Boualam of Algeria in the second round.

Zareen's dominating performance gave the kind of start to the tournament, which is hosted by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). Inspired by the start provided by Nikhat, the remaining three boxers continued the momentum and extended India's dominant run on the opening day.

Spirited show by other Indian boxers on Day 1

2021 Asian Championships bronze medallist Sakshi Chaudhary and national champion Nupur Sheoran also registered emphatic wins with an identical 5-0 margin in their respective bouts.

Chaudhary dominated Colombian Maria Jose Martinez with supreme technical ability in the 52kg Round-of-32. Sheoran (+81kg) proved too strong for Abiola Jackman of Guyana in the Round-of-16.

Chaudhary will now face Kazakhstan's Urakbayeva Zhazira in the next round whereas debutant Sheoran will be up against tough Lazzat Kungeibayeva of Kazakhstan, the 2016 World Champion, in the quarter-finals.

Later in the day, Preeti also won via RSP in a little over four minutes against Lakotar Hanna of Hungary in the 54 kg category of her round 62. The 19-year-old showcased her technical superiority in the match to emerge victorious.

Meanwhile, in a big upset on the opening day, French boxer Lkhadiri Wassila (50 kg) sent 2018 Asian Games gold medallist Chang Yuan of China packing with a 5-2 win in a thrilling bout after the review.