With future in mind, boxing champ Nitu jumps to 54-kg category

Reigning world champ in 48kg category set to be part of upcoming national camp after impressive show in selection trials in new weight category

Nitu Ghanghas

CHENNAI: World champion Nitu Ghanghas has shifted to the 54kg category in bid to be part of the Asian Games, which is scheduled to be held later this year in China.

For Nitu, who won gold at world championships in the 48kg category, it would have been ideal to move one step higher to the light flyweight (50kg) category. However, since Nikhat Zareen also won gold during the World Championships, thereby booking a spot in the Asian Games, the 22-year-old  from Haryana had to take a bigger leap. Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), barring injuries or drastic change in fortunes during the upcoming coaching camps, is another pugilist who has already secured Asiad berth.

Nitu has passed the initial hurdle, doing well against two boxers in the selection trials, which was held from May 9 to 12 at NSNIS Patiala. Preeti and Jyoti are expected to complete the 54kg line-up in the upcoming national camp. She will now be eligible to take part in the national coaching camp, which is set to begin from April 17.

Multiple World Championships gold medallist and London Olympic medallist MC Mary Kom was not part of the trials and that effectively rules the six-time world champion, who had signalled her intentions to be part of the Games earlier, out.

According to the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) selection policy, a total of three boxers (Olympic weight categories — 50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 66kg, 75kg) will be part of the camp. According to a source, the BFI could include one more boxer to the list due to the level of competitiveness in all weight categories.Apart from Nitu, there are several other boxers who have changed their weight categories with the future in mind.

According to the International Olympic Committee, who'll be organising the Olympic qualifiers in boxing, the Asian Games is set to be the first Olympic qualification event for the Paris Games for pugilists from Asia. The Olympic weight categories in the women's section are 50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 66kg and 75kg.

National champ (in 60kg category) Poonam Poonia is another boxer who has returned to 57kg. She had missed out on the World Championships in New Delhi.Former world youth champ Arundhati Choudhary, having played second-fiddle to Lovlina in the 75kg category, has moved down to 66kg.

Reigning world champion in the 81kg category, Saweety Boora, has also returned to the 75kg category with a future in mind. As Lovlina has a firm hold of the middleweight category, Saweety is willing to wait. She has taken this call with a bigger picture in mind.

"I just want to work hard and do my bit. I know Lovlina is already in for Asiad but the Olympics has always been my dream. I'm hopeful that I can get a chance in the future."

According to BFI selection criteria for Asian Games, the boxers, who will be part of the coaching camp, will be evaluated from June 19 to July 1.Having passed the first hurdle, Nitu and rest of the Asiad aspirants will be hoping to impress the coaches during the coaching camp.