Golden fist: On the victory for Indian women boxers

Source: The post is based on the article “Golden fist: On the victory for Indian women boxers” published in The Hindu on 28th March 2023.

Syllabus: GS – 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre.

Relevance: About Indian women boxers.

News: Indian women boxers collected four gold medals in the recent Delhi World championships. This is a significant milestone ahead of Hangzhou Asian Games, a qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

What are some significant achievements of Indian women boxers in the recent Delhi World championship?

Nitu Ghanghas, Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain and Saweety Boora have won the gold medals and India topped the medal sheet.

Note: In 2006 also India collected four gold medals as M.C. Mary Kom, Sarita Devi, K.C. Lekha and R.L. Jenny won.

Nikhat Zareen became the second Indian after Mary to win more than one World title.

How International Boxing Association (IBA) is helping women boxers?

The IBA tried to ensure transparency and fairness. It took action against below-par match officials and athletes who seemingly enjoyed an unfair advantage. It offered a lucrative prize purse, including $100,000 to each winner, and financial support to boxers as an incentive to boost participation.

What will be the way forward?

The IBA is in conflict with the International Olympic Committee due to its exclusion from the Olympics over various issues. This has to be rectified.

The event demonstrated the competitiveness and appeal of women’s boxing. The successful conduct of the event has encouraged the IBA to look at India as a potential market for boxing destinations. The Boxing Federation of India’s also need to conduct more elite events to inspire the boxing community further.