Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: March 25, 2023, 21:24 IST
Lovlina Borgohainand Nikhat Zareen on the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships (BFI)
Nikhat Zareen and Lovina Borgohain have reached the sunshine flyweight and middleweight remaining of the continuing World Championships respectively
India’s High Performance Director (HPD) Bernard Dunne on Saturday confirmed star boxers Nikhat Zareen and Lovina Borgohain have certified for the Asian Games, that are additionally the primary Olympic Qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Games.
For choice to the Asian Games, to be held from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China, the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) coverage states “Athletes who obtain Gold/Silver at World championships shall be an automated choice for the primary Olympic qualifier on the Asian Games.”
It means Nikhat (50kg) and Lovlina (75kg), who have reached the light flyweight and middleweight final of the ongoing World Championships respectively, have qualified for the continental event.
“Those who win gold or silver here (at the World Championships) are the automatic selection for the Asian Games,” Dunne instructed reporters.
At the Asian Games, ladies pugilists will compete in 5 weight classes: 51kg, 57kg, 60kg, 69kg and 75kg. While the Olympics may have six weight courses — 50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 66kg and 75kg.
This means the minimal weight (48kg) world champion Nitu Ghanghas and Saweety Boora (81kg), who has additionally reached the ultimate, shall be standby boxers ought to they determine to vary to an Olympic weight class.
“Anybody who’s altering weight classes must be second or third. But in case one thing occurs to those who’ve certified, we would like our quantity two and three to be prepared,” Dunne said.
He also asserted that the new evaluation process is here to stay.
The BFI has done away with the selection trials. According to the new policy, which was created in cooperation with Dunne, boxers will have to undergo an evaluation process instead.
Ahead of the ongoing Women’s World Championships, there was a lot of hue and cry over the new policy with three boxers in the national camp — Manju Rani, Shiksha Narwal and Poonam Poonia — even moving court due to their non-selection.
“There is no plan for any selection trials in my opinion,” Dunne stated.
Talking in regards to the new coverage, Dunne added, “The large half was to present readability to the athletes.
“Trials was the previous system, however that’s just one second… three three minute rounds determined by judges. But on this new system we, the coaches and I, are monitoring them day in day trip. God forbid somebody will get unwell, or one thing occurs throughout the trials.”
Asked if he will encourage boxers to switch to Olympic categories in the run-up to the Paris Games, Dunne said, “We want to empower our athletes, some may want to change weight categories while some may not, that’s also fine,” Dunne stated.
Dunne has been serving within the position for a number of months now and he feels he’s needed to take some laborious calls.
“The greatest problem I’ve (after turning into the HPD) confronted is the choices I’ve needed to make. For this match I’ve made 12 folks pleased however 24 sad.
“I’ve no allegiance to anyone, no bias in direction of any state. I come right here with a transparent focus to select the perfect. It is as much as the athletes to point out me and the coaches you’re the finest.”
Read all of the Latest Sports News here
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
