Double Delight: Nitu, Saweety crowned world boxing champions

Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) and the seasoned Saweety Boora (81kg) etched their names in history as they were crowned world champions after notching contrasting wins at the marquee tournament on Saturday.

Commonwealth Games champion Nitu Ghanghas defeated Mongolia's Lutsaikhan Altansetseg in the final to win the gold. She beat her Mongolian opponent 5-0 to win the medal. Nitu started off aggressively and used her combination of punches effectively to eke out a win.

The Indian put up a stupendous performance to see off Altansetseg 5-0 and claim the title for the minimum weight category in front of a packed crowd.

In the final three minutes, Nitu started from a far but soon ditched the strategy and reverted to playing from a close range, as Altansetseg was also given a point deduction for clinching.

Nitu has been in indomitable form in the tournament, winning her first three bouts by RSC (referee stops contest).

"When I started boxing I faced a lot of financial problems. I felt that I won't be able to do it, but then I improved. I'll continue my preparation & will improve. We've been getting a lot of support," Nitu Ghanghas told news agency ANI after winning the medal.

She has also become the sixth Indian to win world championship gold.

CHAMPION 🏆🥇

Nitu is a World Champion 💪🤩

Book your tickets for the final 🔗 on 🔗:https://t.co/k8OoHXo2BA@AjaySingh_SG l @debojo_m#itshertime #WorldChampionships #WWCHDelhi @Media_SAI @IBA_Boxing @NituGhanghas333 pic.twitter.com/C19mVQybrT

— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) March 25, 2023

On the other hand, Saweety made it two out of two for the hosts as she warded off a challenge from two-time medallist China's Wang Lina.

"International Boxing Association has played its role very well; you can see how many sports events are happening. Our prize money has also increased. No other federation has done so much work for children & boxers," ANI quoted Saweety Boora in a tweet after winning a gold in World Boxing Championship.

The two join an elite list which includes six-time champion Mary Kom (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018), Sarita Devi (2006), Jenny RL (2006), Lekha KC (2006) and Nikhat Zareen (2022).

With inputs from PTI