With the Olympics in Paris approaching, both boxers will look to establish themselves in new weight classes. No. 4 in the world Nikhat reduced her weight from 52kg u2014 the weight category in which she won gold in Turkey last year u2014 to 50kg.
Lovlina, on the other hand, has increased her weight from 69kg welterweight to 75kg middleweight after both of their preferred weight categories were dropped for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Nikhat will compete in his second international tournament after lowering his weight to 50kg. She won gold in the light fly weight division at the Commonwealth Games, but the competition wasn’t particularly strong in Birmingham.
That will not be the case in this case. As an Olympic weight class, Nikhat will face some of the best boxers on her way to the podium. Despite winning the Asian Championships in the 75kg division, Lovlina is still adjusting to her new weight class. The two-time Worlds bronze medalist has been working hard on increasing her strength and adding power to her punches, which is essential for success in the heavier weight classes.
I’ve been working on increasing the power in my punches because my opponents will be much stronger than what I faced in the 69kg category, Lovlina told PTI. The spotlight will also be on CWG champion Nitu Ganghas (48kg) and bronze medalist Manisha Maun from the previous edition (57kg).
Sakshi Chaudhary (52kg), Preeti (54kg), Shashi Chopra (63kg), and Sanamcha Chanu (70kg) are among the contenders. This is India’s third time hosting the prestigious event. However, a series of boycotts, a dispute between the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and a court case have tarnished the tournament’s lustre.
Over ten countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, withdrew from the event after the IBA, led by Russian Umar Kremlev, allowed boxers from Russia and Belarus to compete under their own flag, contrary to the IOC’s recommendation.
Furthermore, the ongoing feud between the two world bodies has caused considerable confusion, as the IOC stated that it would be in charge of the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers, rather than the IBA, which has been suspended since 2019.
However, the IBA went on to say that they would hold the qualification events, with the men’s and women’s World Championships this year serving as the main qualifiers.
On March 14, Kremlev clarified that the IOC will continue to be in charge of qualifying events, adding that the two bodies must cooperate and coordinate. He did, however, state that the IBA will be in charge of all qualification tournaments.
Another squabble erupted within the national camp when reigning national champions Manju Rani (48kg), Shiksha Narwal (54kg), and Poonam Poonia (60kg) sued after failing to make the World Championships cut under the Boxing Federation of India’s new selection policy.
The boxers were judged on various parameters during a three-week evaluation process under the new policy, with Nitu, Preeti, and Jaismine Lamboria being selected for the tournament.
Finally, the Delhi High Court declined to intervene in the case. The 13th edition of the championship will feature over 300 boxers from 65 countries, with the gold medalists receiving $100,000.
The silver medalists will receive $50,000, while the bronze medalists will receive $25,000 each. In the previous edition, India returned with three medals, including a gold. The Indian boxers would like to repeat their home performance from 2006, when they won eight medals, including four golds.
