CWG 2022: Nikhat Zareen Adds Third Boxing Gold

Nikhat Zareen, the world champion boxer, added another Commonwealth Games gold medal to her collection as she totally outboxed experienced Northern Ireland pugilist Carly McNaul in the women’s lightflyweight final. Nikhat’s gold marks India’s third of the day, following victories by Nitu Ghanghas and Amit Panghal earlier in the day.

Nikhat had sparred with Mc Naul during an Irish national team training camp in Belfast and had already figured out the Irish national champion. Nikhat opted to keep her distance and not let the Northern Ireland fighter to approach near since she is skilled at gripping and counterattacking. She dominated the match, receiving perfect points from all five judges.

GOLD🥇 FOR INDIA 🇮🇳

Nikhat Zareen wins gold medal in Women's 50 Kg event 🥊#TeamIndia | #Cheer4India | #B2022 | #CWG2022 pic.twitter.com/GcmYxaQg9y

— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) August 7, 2022

The two fighters traded punches early on in a close-range bout, but Zareen won with her combinations. The Indian stopped the 33-year-old Carly McNaul in the first round with a combination of left hooks and crosses. Even when the Indian boxer repelled McNaul’s blows, Carly McNaul continued to fight at close range and resorted to a lot of gripping. However, Nikhat’s efforts in the first two rounds were sufficient, as she moved into evasive mode in the last round, sealing the match and her first CWG medal.

Nikhat had won the world championship gold in 52 kg, but because that weight category was not featured in either the CWG or the Asian Games, she elected to drop to 50kg. She was as effective in this division as well.

Nikhat said, “It feels great to be a Commonwealth Games champion, especially after becoming a world champion earlier this year. It feels good to win another gold medal for my country. It was a really good fight. She was an experienced fighter, but my only focus was to win this bout.”