Asian Games 2023: Nikhat Zareen wins for bronze for India

Nikhat Zareen, a two-time world champion, concluded her campaign in the women’s 50kg boxing category with a bronze medal in the Asian Games 2023 boxing tournament in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China.

Nikhat Zareen was defeated by Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat in a 3:2 split decision in the semi-finals. Zareen and Raksat met earlier this year in the world championships quarterfinals, with the Indian fighter coming out on top.

The Indian fighter lost 2-3 to her Thai opponent. She did, however, win India’s first boxing medal at the Asian Games this year. It was also India’s 43rd overall medal. Nikhat Zareen, a two-time world champion, ended her lengthy winning streak at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Sunday with a bronze medal while Parveen Hooda won a spot in the Paris Olympics.

Parveen, who placed third in the 63 kg division in the 2022 World Boxing Championships, defeated Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan by unanimous decision to advance the 57 kg semifinal and guarantee India a medal.

“My experience was great. I had very good bouts in these Asian Games,” Nikhat explained. “Today, unfortunately, I couldn’t win the semi-final match against Thailand. But it’s fine, I will take this as a learning lesson. I’ll definitely come back stronger. I’ll learn from my mistakes from this competition, and I definitely look forward to that.”

On Wednesday, Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei will compete against Parveen Hooda in the semifinals. Jasmine Lamboria, meantime, was denied a medal after her match with Ungyong Won of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ended in an RSC decision. Before the referee ended the fight, the Indian fighter had to endure three standing counts in a minute.

The current Asian champion, Parveen, immediately established control of the fight by using her long arms to deliver strikes far out. She alternated between the right cross and the left jab to frighten the Uzbek woman, age 21.

After going on the attack in the first round, Parveen battled well, waiting for Turdibekova to approach before pummeling her with precise, point-scoring blows. Although Turdibekova made a powerful comeback by striking Parveen many times, it wasn’t enough to persuade the judges to award her the victory.

In their respective weight divisions, Preeti Pawar (54 kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg), and Narender Berwal (+92 kg) have already won medals. The semifinalists in the women’s 50kg, 54kg, 57kg, and 60kg categories, as well as the champions in the 66kg and 75kg events, will earn spots in the Paris Olympics.