CHENNAI: In a much-anticipated fight between Lovlina Borgohain and Arundhati Choudhary, the former displayed her class to prevail in the final of the national selection trials, thereby booking a ticket for the upcoming IBA Women’s World Championships.
The Assam pugilist (70kg) was fighting in a competitive environment for the first time since returning home after her bronze medal effort during the Tokyo Olympics last year. In the final bout of the selection trials, where top-four national boxers from each weight category fought, Lovlina knew she had a tricky test in Arundhati, the reigning youth world champ and national champion. What Arundhati lacked was experience and Lovlina used that against her to get the votes from all the seven officials (5 judges, 2 selection panel officials) present by the ringside.
"Lovlina used her experience and her long reach to keep Arundhati at bay," women's national chief coach Bhaskar Bhatt, who witnessed the fight at the IG Stadium in New Delhi, told this daily. As the trials for Asiad in 69kg will be held again (March 11-14), the duo could trade punches again.
While Lovlina got a step closer to possibly winning her third medal in the world event, Simranjit Kaur — 2018 Worlds bronze medallist and Tokyo Olympian — was stunned by Jaismine Lamboriya in the 60kg final. Jaismine, the Asian Championships bronze medallist, won by a split verdict (5-2). "Jasmine kept her distance and kept stealing points. She did really well," Bhatt assessed. The win also means that Jaismine will be going to the Asian Games apart from Worlds.
In-form Nikhat Zareen (52kg) had no problems defeating Minakshi of Haryana by 7-0 verdict. With MC Mary Kom taking a back seat this time, Nikhat, who recently won the Strandja Memorial Tournament, will be determined to cash in on her good form.
Manisha Moun (57kg), Saweety Boora (75kg) and Olympian Pooja Rani were other boxers to post a win on the day and secure a ticket for Worlds.
The women's World Championships is scheduled to be held in Istanbul from May 6-21. The Asian Games will be hosted by Hangzhou, China from September 10 to 25.
Worlds squad: Nitu (48kg), Anamika (50kg), Nikhat (52kg), Shiksha (54kg), Manisha (57kg), Jaismine (60kg), Parveen (63kg), Ankushita (66kg), Lovlina (70kg), Saweety (75kg), Pooja Rani (81kg), Nandini (+81kg).
Full story: newindianexpress.com