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- Published: March 15, 2023 20:32
New Delhi: India is hosting the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi and the opening ceremony of the event is underway on March 15. This is for the third time that India is hosting the tournament after doing it in 2006 and 2018 in the past. Sports Miniter Anurag Thakur was also present there and addressed the public meeting.
Anurag Thakur said that the nation is hosting the Women’s World Boxing Championships for the third time. He added that it is a special year as it is the biggest addition to the tournament so far. The event constitutes approximately 324 women boxers from about 65 countries taking part in 12 weight categories.
Watch ?LIVE ?Union Minister @ianuragthakur address at the Grand Opening Ceremony of ? IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023#WWCHDelhi #WorldChampionships @IBA_Boxing https://t.co/sfM4Yg05v3
— Office of Mr. Anurag Thakur (@Anurag_Office) March 15, 2023
While defending champion Nikhat Zareen and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain led the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony while six times world champion Mary Kom was also present there.
The Indian contingent looks stronger than ever with Nikhat Zareen, who is not only the world champion but also the CWG gold medallist. Meanwhile, Lovlina will look to bounce back after not getting a medal in Birmingham.
Delhi | Opening ceremony of the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships underway at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. The tournament is scheduled to be held from March 15 to 25. pic.twitter.com/tftNIMZygF
— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2023
The contingent also has the CWG gold medallist Nitu Ghanghas and bronze medallist Jaismine Lamboria.
Indian Contingent: Nitu Ghanghas (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (52kg), Preeti (54kg), Manisha Moun (57kg), Jaismine Lamboria (60kg), Shashi Chopra (63kg), Manju Bamboria (66kg), Sanamcha Chanu (70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Saweety Boora (81kg) and Nupur Sheoran (81+kg)
However, the tournament has been in controversies as International Boxing Association (IBA), was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but it announced the world championships to be the qualification tournament for the Paris Olympics. So, there is a sense of confusion about it. Also, Ukraine, England, the USA, Ireland and Sweden are boycotting the championships after the IBA allowed Russian and Belarusian boxers to compete under their own flag.