India’s Nikhat Zareen has won the Gold medal in the 52kg flyweight category of the Women’s World Boxing Championship 2022. Zareen defeated Thailand’s Jitpong Jutamas to become the fifth ever Indian woman to win the gold medal at the championships.
A total of 12 members were sent to the competition, and after four years, the gold medal has been won by an Indian. The last time that this happened was Mary Kom securing the first position in the 48 kg category.
Nikhat Zareen wins gold in 52kg World Championship
Prior to Nikhat Zareen winning the gold medal, Mary Kom won the title six times alongside Sarita Devi, Jenny RL and Lekha KC.
India won one gold medal, and two bronze medals during the tournament this year. Manisha Moun won the bronze in the 57 kg category and Parveen Hooda earned India’s second bronze in the 63 kg.
It was a remarkable performance from Nikhat Zareen throughout the competition, as she won every bout in the championship with a unanimous 5-0 decision. With her win today, she is the only boxer other than Mary Kom to have won the World Championship since Women’s boxing became part of the Olympics in 2012.
She has been competing against Mary Kom for a place in the 52kg category for several years, and the big win in the World Championship could finally see her move out of her compatriot’s shadow.