India capped off an outstanding campaign by finishing with the highest gold medals (four) at the IBA Women's World Boxing Championship after the nation's illustrious pugilists Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain recorded stellar victories in the finals on Sunday
The reigning World champion Nikhat Zareen (50 kg) upstaged two-time Asian champion Nguyen Thi Tam of Vietnam by a 5-0 verdict to take home gold for a second consecutive year at the tournament
Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg), on the other hand, defeated two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Caitlin Parker of Australia 5-2 to win her maiden world title
With the historic win, Nikhat Zareen becomes only the second Indian after the legendary MC Mary Kom to win the title of the prestigious tournament twice
Alongside Nikhat and Lovlina, 2022 Commonwealth Games medallist Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) and three-time Asian medallist Saweety Boora (81kg) were crowned world champions in their respective weight categories
Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the boxers have showed great skill and that they have made India proud on many occasions. He congratulated them on their spectacular victory at the World Boxing Championship
This is the second time in history that India have won four gold medals at the Women's World Boxing Championship, the other occasion being in 2006 when Mary Kom, Sarita Devi, Jenny Lalremliani and Lekha KC had won gold for the country
"I am very happy that I have become a world champion for the second time, especially in an Olympic category," Nikhat, who won the 52kg title last year, said after her bout, PTI reported
"It was the final so there was stress but I tried to play like the coaches said, I wasn't entirely successful at times but I am happy to win the gold and make India proud," Lovlina said after the bout