INDIA PIP CHINA

The hosts claim the top prize at IBA’S women’s worlds

HOST nation India claimed the Best Team trophy at the Women’s World Championships in New Delhi after claiming four golds. China finished second with three golds, one silver and three bronze medals.

Nikhat Zareen became a two-weight world champion. Zareen won the World Championship in Istanbul in 2022 at 52kgs and then dropped down to 50kgs.

Because of the switch in weight, Zareen was unseeded in New Delhi. The 26-yearold beat top seed Roumaysa Boulam (Algeria) on her way to the final where she outworked Thi Tam Nguyen (Vietnam) in a gruelling bout.

Home favourite Lovlina Borgohain was crowned world champion after a desperately close 3-2 split decision win over Caitlin Parker (Australia).

Nitu Ghanghas, another who won gold in Birmingham last summer, became world champion at 48kgs after a high tempo clash with Altantsetseg Lutsaikhan from Mongolia. Nitu edged the opening two rounds to put the bout beyond the Mongolian.

The 81 kgs category was also won by an Indian boxer. Saweety took on Wang Lina from China and the bout went to a review but the split decision still went the Indian boxer’s way.

Huang Hsiao-wen (Taiwan) claimed a second world title, outpointing Yeni Arias from Colombia in the 54kgs final. Hsiao-wen, bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, won the same title in Russia four years ago.

Beatriz Ferreria (Brazil) was named Best Boxer after claiming her third World Championship medal, striking gold at 60kgs with a points win over Angie Valdez (Colombia).

Ferreria, who celebrated victory with a dance, had won gold and silver at the 2019 and 2022 Worlds.