Latest news with #WorldBoxingChampionships
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Injury behind her, Nikhat Zareen eyes third World Championship title
Having made it to the Indian team for the World Boxing Championships, Nikhat Zareen believes that she heads to Liverpool, England, with a renewed sense of belief in her ability to bag yet another medal on the global stage. 'I'm looking forward to being back on the international scene after a long time. Everyone wants me to perform well there, win a medal and make the country proud, but, obviously, more than them, I want to bring back that old Nikhat who used to win medals at the World Championship. I want to bring back that old Nikhat who has that hunger to win medals at the Worlds,' she told Sportstar. Nikhat will compete in her preferred 51kg category at the inaugural edition of the event, which is being conducted by World Boxing, the newly formed international governing body for the sport. ALSO READ | From chubby kid to champion: World Cup medallist Hitesh Gulia 'had no aim of making a career out of boxing' The 28-year-old returns to the Indian national setup for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympics after impressing at the Elite Women's Boxing Tournament held here earlier this month. She, however, pulled out of the final citing injury. Self-belief A two-time gold medallist at the World Championships (Istanbul 2022 and New Delhi 2023), Nikhat reiterated that she is capable of putting bad form behind her and bringing glory to India once again. 'Sometimes it [defeat] happens. It was not in my destiny, maybe. I don't want to underestimate myself or say that I'm not good enough to win an Olympic medal. I will keep pushing myself no matter what. FILE PHOTO - Zareen Nikhat of Team India makes her way to the ring prior to her Women's 50kg preliminary round match against Yu Wu of Team China on day six of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at North Paris Arena on August 01, 2024 in Paris, France. | Photo Credit: Getty Images 'Not everyone can win a world championship gold medal, not just once, but twice. I'm still that Nikhat who has the hunger to achieve and make the country proud. I'm happy that I'm finally back in the national team, the focus is now on just winning the medal,' she added. Injury comeback Nikhat dealt with a meniscus injury recently, which required a few months of rehab. While admitting that her recovery wasn't easy, she said that she focused on the larger goals to ensure she made a successful and quick comeback. 'The recovery wasn't easy, but I always kept myself strong, both physically and mentally. Whenever I felt like it [the comeback] is not going to happen or that it was becoming tougher every day, I always reminded myself about why I started on this path. This is not the end,' she stated. With the LA Olympics less than three years away, Nikhat emphasized that the disappointment in Paris has perhaps spurred her on further in her pursuit of her sport's biggest prize. 'My ultimate dream is to win an Olympic medal. I'm not gonna give up so easily.'
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Nikhat Zareen eyes medal at World Boxing Championships, with renewed focus on LA Olympics 2028
Having made it to the Indian team for the World Boxing Championships, Nikhat Zareen believes that she heads to Liverpool, England, with a renewed sense of belief in her ability to bag yet another medal on the global stage. 'I'm looking forward to being back on the international scene after a long time. Everyone wants me to perform well there, win a medal and make the country proud. However, more than them, I want to bring back that old Nikhat Zareen who used to win medals at the World Championship. I want to bring back that old Nikhat who has that hunger to win medals at the Worlds,' she told The Hindu. Nikhat will compete in her preferred 51kg category at the inaugural edition of the event, which is being conducted by World Boxing, the newly formed international governing body for the sport. The 28-year-old returns to the Indian national setup for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympics after an impressive show at the Elite women's boxing tournament held here earlier this month. She, however, pulled out of the final citing injury. Felt the energy at the 8th Elite Women's National Boxing Championship opening ceremony. Proud to stand among champions, past and future!😇 Let's go, champs! 🥊👍 — Nikhat Zareen (@nikhat_zareen) March 22, 2025 Self-belief A two-time gold medallist at the World Championships (Istanbul 2022 and New Delhi 2023), Nikhat reiterated that she was capable of putting bad form behind her and bringing glory to India once again. 'Sometimes it [defeat] happens. It was not in my destiny, maybe. I don't want to underestimate myself or say that I'm not good enough to win an Olympic medal. I will keep pushing myself no matter what.' 'Not everyone can win a World Championship gold medal, not just once, but twice. I'm still that Nikhat Zareen who has the hunger to achieve and make the country proud. I'm happy that I'm finally back in the national team, and the focus is now on just winning the medal,' she added.
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Alice Pumphrey will cheer on Lionesses with no regrets over switch to boxing
The Blackpool 19-year-old, who has been named in the 16-strong Great Britain squad for September's World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, was scouted by Manchester United at the age of 11 and signed an academy contract with every intention of making it to the top of the sport. But Pumphrey became hooked after heading to her local boxing gym for the first time to improve her fitness, and almost immediately made the tough decision to rip up her deal with the Red Devils and devote herself full-time to her new obsession. 'I'd been playing football almost every day since the age of four, and I was scouted when I was 11 and playing with a boys' team in Fleetwood,' Pumphrey told the PA news agency. 'I went for a trial with United and they said they were going to give me a contract. That meant I could only play for United, so on the days I couldn't play I got bored and went to the gym for extra fitness. 'After a week I told my dad I wanted to box. He told me to see the season out with United and they tried to convince me to stay. But by then I knew what I wanted to do.' Pumphrey's decision has proved a wise one. A slew of English, British and European junior titles followed, culminating in a world under-19 title in Colorado towards the end of last year, and a full-time place on the GB Boxing squad. She is bullish about her future prospects – having targeted Olympic gold in Los Angeles, followed by turning professional and winning undisputed titles at four different weights – and will stop at nothing to achieve it, uprooting from the west coast to relocate to Batley where she trains in the Purge gym. Pumphrey, once a fleet-footed left winger, is the same age as Lionesses saviour Michelle Agyemang, who will aim to summon more heroics when England face Spain in the European Championship on Sunday. But while she will be an avid viewer, the light-flyweight will not once stop to wonder what might have been had she decided not to follow her heart through those gym doors seven years ago. 'I've never regretted it,' she added. 'In football you've got 10 other people and subs who you have to rely on to win a game, but in the boxing ring it's down to you to perform. 'I don't like having to depend on other people. In that ring it's you and the person who is trying to take your head off, and that's what I love.'
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Alice Pumphrey will cheer on Lionesses with no regrets over switch to boxing
The Blackpool 19-year-old, who has been named in the 16-strong Great Britain squad for September's World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, was scouted by Manchester United at the age of 11 and signed an academy contract with every intention of making it to the top of the sport. But Pumphrey became hooked after heading to her local boxing gym for the first time to improve her fitness, and almost immediately made the tough decision to rip up her deal with the Red Devils and devote herself full-time to her new obsession. Alice Pumphrey is targeting world domination after giving up a promising football career (Joe Giddens/PA) 'I'd been playing football almost every day since the age of four, and I was scouted when I was 11 and playing with a boys' team in Fleetwood,' Pumphrey told the PA news agency. 'I went for a trial with United and they said they were going to give me a contract. That meant I could only play for United, so on the days I couldn't play I got bored and went to the gym for extra fitness. 'After a week I told my dad I wanted to box. He told me to see the season out with United and they tried to convince me to stay. But by then I knew what I wanted to do.' Pumphrey's decision has proved a wise one. A slew of English, British and European junior titles followed, culminating in a world under-19 title in Colorado towards the end of last year, and a full-time place on the GB Boxing squad. She is bullish about her future prospects – having targeted Olympic gold in Los Angeles, followed by turning professional and winning undisputed titles at four different weights – and will stop at nothing to achieve it, uprooting from the west coast to relocate to Batley where she trains in the Purge gym. Pumphrey, once a fleet-footed left winger, is the same age as Lionesses saviour Michelle Agyemang, who will aim to summon more heroics when England face Spain in the European Championship on Sunday. But while she will be an avid viewer, the light-flyweight will not once stop to wonder what might have been had she decided not to follow her heart through those gym doors seven years ago. 'I've never regretted it,' she added. 'In football you've got 10 other people and subs who you have to rely on to win a game, but in the boxing ring it's down to you to perform. 'I don't like having to depend on other people. In that ring it's you and the person who is trying to take your head off, and that's what I love.'
Canada News.Net
6 days ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
India includes Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain in its 20-member squad for World Boxing Championships 2025
New Delhi [India], July 25 (ANI): Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain and renowned Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen have been named in the 20-member Indian team for the World Boxing Championships 2025, which will be held in Liverpool, England, between September 4 and 14, according to After a week-long selection evaluation at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala, the team was chosen. This will be the inaugural World Boxing Championships, held by the newly formed World Boxing, the international governing body for the sport. It will see boxers from all over the globe compete for medals in 20 divisions: 10 weight classes for men and as many for women. The matches will follow the Olympic format. Nikhat will be seen in the 51 kg class, while Borgohain will compete in the women's 75 kg division. The women's 80 kg division was also taken by Olympian Pooja Rani. However, Meenakshi Hooda won the women's 48kg category, and Nitu Ghanghas, the Commonwealth Games champion, failed to make the cut. Both Borgohain and Zareen have won gold medals at World Championships before, but these were under the previous governing body. The meet in Liverpool will also mark the return of the two Indian boxers to the Indian national setup for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympics and their first World Boxing event. India sent no female boxers to the inaugural World Cup held in Brazil, and neither of the two participated in the second tournament in Astana earlier this month. Both boxers also performed well at the Elite Women's Boxing Tournament in Hyderabad earlier this month, which earned them a spot in the national camp; however, they both failed to qualify for the nationals this year. Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal (90+kg), World Boxing Cup gold medallists Hitesh Gulia (70kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) are also in the 20-member shortlist. Indian squad for World Boxing Championships 2025Women's 48kg - Meenakshi HoodaWomen's 51kg - Nikhat ZareenWomen's 54kg - SakshiWomen's 57kg - Jaismine LamboriaWomen's 60kg - Sanju KhatriWomen's 60kg - Neeraj PhogatWomen's 70kg - Sanamacha ChanuWomen's 75kg - Lovlina BorgohainWomen's 80kg - Pooja RaniWomen's 80+kg - Nupur SheoranMen's 50kg - Jadumani Singh MandengbamMen's 55kg - Pawan BartwalMen's 60kg - Sachin Siwach JrMen's 65kg - Abhinash JamwalMen's 70kg - Hitesh GuliaMen's 75kg - Sumit KunduMen's 80kg - Lakshya ChaharMen's 85kg - Jugnoo AhlawatMen's 90kg - Harsh ChaudharyMen's 90+kg - Narender Berwal. (ANI)
