Nikhat Zarin enters the semi-finals of the Bosphorus Boxing Tournament with two-time world champion Nazim Kazaybay

Continuing their giant-killing spree, Indian boxer Nikhat Zeren on Friday shocked Kazakhstan’s two-time world champion Nazim Qazibe to enter the women’s 51 kg semi-finals at the Bosphorus Boxing Tournament in Istanbul. Zaren, who had previously defeated 2019 World Champion Palseva Ekaterina of Russia in the pre-quarter-finals, looked shocked and confident against her opponent from Kazakhstan. He sealed his authority right from the start and went on to win the 2014 and 2016 championships with a 4–1 win over gold medalist Kazabay.

Zarin has ensured at least a bronze medal with a place in the final-four.

Apart from Zaren, 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Gaurav Solanki (57 kg) also reached the semi-finals after stiff competition against local boxer Iqal Mizan.

Both boxers attacked the entire bout, but Solanki showed his technical supremacy to win 4–1 and earned himself at least a bronze medal.

Other women boxers included Sonia Lather (57 kg), Parveen (60 kg) and Jyoti (69 kg), losing in their respective quarter-finals.

Promoted

Meanwhile, Shiva Thapa (63 kg) suffered a 1–4 defeat to Hakan Dogan of Turkey in an intense bout. On Friday, the fourth day of the tournament, two Indian boxers will fight in their respective semi-finals.

Xiren will face another tough challenge as she will face Turkish silver medalist Busenaz Kakaroglu at the World Championships in 2019, while Solanki will take on Argentina’s Narco Cuello.