The challenge for the Telangana boxer was to reduce her weight from 52 to 50 kg at the World Championships, which is a weight category that is part of the Asian Games and Olympic programme. Nikhat took up the challenge and it was evident from her encounter with Carly McNall of Northern Ireland. They registered a massive 5-0 victory over the opponent in the final. Nikhat needed to plan against his opponent after he clashed with McNall during a training camp with the Northern Ireland national team just before coming to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games.
Nikhat said, “The training camp in Northern Ireland gave me an idea to take on this opponent, as I have not played in this weight category before and have never fought any of these boxers. I would like to thank the Boxing Federation of India, Sports Authority of India and the Sports Ministry for arranging the camp. This is Nikhat’s first gold at the Commonwealth Games, his first appearance in the tournament.
She could not qualify for the Games in 2018 as she lost the trials to MC Mary Kom. Nikhat dominated from the first round, winning 10 points each from the five judges. She was perfect in the second round as well and maintained her momentum in the third and final round as well, securing an impressive victory. Nikhat on Sunday became the third Indian boxer to win a gold medal, equaling India’s best performance in terms of gold in the boxing ring since the Commonwealth Games 2018.
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