Nikhat ends medal drought as record 15 Indians in final of World Boxing Cup Finals

New Delhi: Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) and reigning world champ Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) were among a record haul of 15 Indian boxers who entered the gold medal round of World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida on Wednesday.

It is the highest of count any country in this elite eight-only competition that is being held at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex.

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Jaismine routed former Asian youth champion Kazakhstan’s Ulzhan Sarsenbek 5-0 to set up a blockbuster final against Paris Olympic medalist Wu Shih-Yi.

Nikhat returned to the ring after a year-long break due to a shoulder injury at the World Championships in September.

She won by a unanimous decision over Uzbek Ganieva Gulsevar in the semi-final, ending her 21-month medal drought.

The 2023 world championship winner's last podium finish in an international event was at the Strandja Memorial in February last year.

"I'm very happy after Paris Olympics my medal account has opened. From here it's only upwards and onwards. I was filled with nostalgia, I had become world champion in front of the home crowd and today I won my semifinal," Nikhat said.

Her opponent in the final is Chinese Taipei's Guo Yi Xuan. "I'm now looking forward for the final against Chinese Taipei to face her and win a gold for India," she said.

Sachin Siwach and Hitesh Gulia also entered the title round. Sachin (60kg) outmanoeuvred Dilshod Abdumurodov while Hitesh (70kg) counter-punched Mukhammadazizbek Ismoilov into submission.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pawan (55kg) and Jadumani (50kg) had kept up the host nation’s momentum. Pawan dominated England’s Ellis Trowbridge 5-0 win while Jadumani overwhelmed Australia’s Omer Izaz.

Jugnoo (85kg), Neeraj Phogat (65kg) lost while Sumit (75kg) grabbed bronze after a 4-1 defeat against Poland’s Michal Jarlinski.

With 15 Indians entering the finals, India have also secured 20 medals, ensuring every participating boxer finishes on the podium.