High five for our new boxing world champ!

India’s Nikhat Zareen (right) during her final bout against Thailand’s Jitpong Jutamas in Istanbul yesterday. Pic/BFI

Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen lived up to the expectations as she clinched the coveted gold in flyweight (52kg) division with a facile 5-0 victory over Thailand's Jitpong Jutamas in the Women's World Championship final in Istanbul on Thursday.

Capping off a stupendous campaign that saw her dominate all her rivals, the Telangana boxer out-punched her Thai opponent to win
via unanimous verdict with judges scoring the bout 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 in her favour.

First gold in four years

With this win, Zareen, a 2019 Asian Championship bronze medallist, 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. This is India's first gold medal in four years. Mary Kom (48kg) had won the last title in 2018.

Good combination punches

Zareen, 25, produced some beautiful combination of punches to outclass Jutamas. Jutamas had a better start off the two but Zareen soon made up and took the upper hand. The first round was fought on an even keel but Zareen's blows were more powerful and her punches eye catching.

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