news details |
|
|
| Nikhat Zareen, Amit Panghal, Nitu Ganghas Grab Maiden Commonwealth Games Boxing Gold Medals | | |  agencies
BIRMINGHAM, Aug 8: The indomitable Nikhat Zareen added a Commonwealth Games 2022 light flyweight (50kg) title to her bulging trophy cabinet while Amit Panghal (51kg) began his redemption journey with a much-needed gold winning show on Sunday. Nikhat, who is on a winning spree since the Nationals last year, asserted her dominance over Northern Ireland's Carly Mc Naul as she punched her way to a comprehensive 5-0 win in her maiden CWG appearance.
Panghal, on the other hand, avenged his 2018 Commonwealth Games final loss against Kiaran MacDonald by clinching the title with a comprehensive 5-0 win over the favourite. Indian boxers made it three out of three golds on the day as young Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) too reigned supreme on her CWG debut.
But Sagar Ahlawat will have to be content with a silver medal as he lost by an unanimous 0-5 verdict against England's Delicious Orie in the men's over 92kg (super heavy weight) category, in what was the final bout of the Games.
Sagar started positively in the first round but Orie completely dominated the next two as the Indian started to tire out. The Englishman took full advantage of that and landed big punches, hooks and jabs on Sagar, who started to bleed in the last round after getting a cut over his left eye.
The India pugilists will return with seven medals -- three gold, one silver and three bronze -- from Birmingham, two less than the previous edition. Nikhat started off the year by clinching a gold at the prestigious Strandja Memorial tournament before going on to become a world champion.
The Telangana boxer, who dropped from 52kg to 50kg for the CWG, glided around the ring, landing hooks and tight jabs at will. Her defence was equally impressive. Such was her dominance that when the nine minutes ended there was no doubt which way the decision would go. Having lost to a Briton four years ago at the same stage in Gold Coast, the 26-year-old Panghal was at his aggressive best against MacDonald as he clinched the yellow metal with a 5-0 verdict. The dominating Panghal, who was lightning quick with his jabs, also left MacDonald with a cut above his right eye that needed a few stitches and a stoppage in play as the Indian was on song. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
