WWBC 2023 Is Back! Will Nikhat And Lovlina Grab Medals Again?

The IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship 2023 will take place in New Delhi at the Indira Gandhi Sports Center from March 15–26. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has designated Mahindra as the event’s title sponsor, and MC Mary Kom and Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar have been named as brand ambassadors. India is the host nation for the event for the third time in history. The presence of Marykom and Bollywood icon Farhan Akhtar will significantly advance BFI’s mission.

Spotlight Nikhat and Lovlina

World champion Nikhat and Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina will lead the 12-member Indian team in the absence of six-time champion MC Mary Kom. Both these boxers will also be looking to find their steps in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Nikhat- The World No. 4 has cut down her weight from 52kg to 50kg. On the other hand, Lovlina has increased her weight from 69kg class to 75kg. Nikhat has competed in two international competitions since dropping to 50 kg. She won gold at the Commonwealth Games in the light flyweight division, but the competition in Birmingham was not particularly strong.

Nikhat will have to compete against some of the best boxers in the Olympic weight class to reach the podium. Lovlina won the Asian Championships at 75 kg, but she is still getting used to her new weight. The two-time Worlds bronze medalist has been working hard to improve her punch power and strength.

“The focus has been on improving the power in my punches as my opponents will be much stronger than what I encountered in the 69kg category,” Lovlina told the media.

India, The Host for WWBC 2023

Over ten nations, including the United States, Great Britain, and Ireland, withdrew from the competition after the International Boxing Association (IBA), led by Russian Umar Kremlev, allowed boxers from Russia and Belarus to compete under their own flag, in contrast to the IOC’s recommendation. However, this is the third time that India is hosting the IBA Women’s World Championship. Though a series of boycotts and the conflict between the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have taken the sheen off the tournament.

Additionally, the IOC’s announcement that it would be in charge of the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers rather than the IBA, which has been suspended since 2019, has added to the confusion caused by the ongoing conflict between the two world bodies.

However, the IBA continued by announcing that the main qualifiers for the men’s and women’s World Championships this year would be the IBA’s qualification events.

On Tuesday, Kremlev made it clear that the IOC will continue to oversee the qualifying events and that the two organizations must work together and coordinate. However, he asserted that IBA would manage all qualification tournaments.

The reigning national champions, Manju Rani (48 kg), Shiksha Narwal (54 kg), and Poonam Poonia (60 kg), filed a lawsuit after failing to qualify for the World Championships under the new selection policy of the Boxing Federation of India.

The boxers were evaluated over the course of three weeks in accordance with the new policy, and Nitu, Preeti, and Jaismine Lamboria were chosen to compete in the tournament. The Delhi High Court eventually refused to interfere in the issue.

Prize Money for the winners

Over 300 boxers from 65 Nations will compete in the championship’s 13th edition and the gold medallist will receive USD 50,000 while the winners of the bronze medal will receive USD 25,000. In the previous tournament, India won three medals, including gold. The Indian boxer’s performance at home in 2006, when they won eight medals, including four golds, would be ideal for the Indian team.

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Indian Squad for WWBC 2023

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)

Nupur Sheoran (81+kg)