Boxer Nitu Ghanghas stated that she would not mind facing reigning World Champion Nikhat Zareen for securing a position in the national team for Paris Olympics 2024.
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Boxer Nitu Ghanghas stated that she would not mind facing reigning World Champion Nikhat Zareen for securing a position in the national team for Paris Olympics 2024. Nikhat Zareen who also won a gold at the CWG 2022 competed in the women’s 50 kg. If Nikhat continues to fight in the 50kg class, young Nitu will have to get past her for a position in the Paris Olympics.
Nitu said, “She (Nikhat) is an experienced boxer and I will give my 100 per cent. While fighting, I don’t see who is standing in front of me. I focus on my own performance.” “My normal weight stays around 49kg. In order to compete in 50kg, I have to increase my body weight up to 52kg and work on my strength.”
The gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games 2022 was Nitu’s first major tournament title. Nitu got past Demie-Jade Resztan of England by 5-0 in her final bout. The English pugilist was a World Championship 2019 bronze medallist. The 21-year-old is a two-time youth world champion.
Nitu’s father Jai Bhagwan has been her biggest strength. Bhagwan took a three-year unpaid leave to focus on his daughter’s training. Nitu recalled the moment when her father got emotional seeing her on the top of the podium. She said, “When I spoke to my father after winning the gold medal, he said he felt as if he was boxing inside the ring and standing on the podium instead of me and wearing the medal around his neck.”
Nitu also emphasized on how she had a memorable homecoming after reaching Delhi. “My villagers welcomed me with a lot of fanfare and held a function. They began from Delhi, through Bhiwani up to our village,” she added.
The boxer doesn’t believe in having cheat days. Her dedication towards the sport has helped her in overcoming challenges caused by Covid-19 and injuries. She considers legendary Mary Kom as her inspiration.
