World Champion Nitu Ghanghas has changed her weight category with the aim of featuring in the Olympics

After winning the historic gold medal at the Women’s World Championship, Nitu Ghanghas has decided to bulk and move up a couple of weight categories with the aim of participating in the Olympics next year.

Nitu, who took part in the 48kg category in the World Championship has now shifted to the 54kg category. She understood her situation with Nikhat Zareen also winning the gold at the World Championship and believes that this is the best move for her to participate at the quadrennial event.

“It was already confirmed that the boxer win the gold in World Championships in the 50kg category, and that boxer will represent India in this category in the Asian Games. Nikhat had gold in the world championship in this category. So, Nikhat will go to Asian Games. That’s why I switched to the 54 kg category.”

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) have introduced a new selection policy where boxers will be selected for events on in-camp evaluation and there won’t be any trials. Therefore Nitu had to shift her weight category to feature in the Olympics.

Nitu now has to deal with the existing boxers in the 54kg category. She defeated Divya Pawar and Sakshi Chaudhury in the trials for the national camp to ensure her place among the three pugilists in the 54kg category.

“I played in the 54kg category in the trials for our camp selection. I had really good bouts. I had gained weight helping me gain extra pace. So, I got benefited a lot from that,” Nitu opened up on her new weight category.

Under the supervision of her nutritionist, Nitu has changed her diet plans and is working towards it. However, the much-anticipated bout between Nitu and Nikhat Zareen won’t happen. Speaking about the same, she said, ”If we had trials, I would have given my best (laughs) but it is not happening. I will give my best in 54 kg now.”

The 22-year-old pugilist has been on a dream run since last year. She has won gold medals in all the events she has participated in. Starting from the Strandja Memorial, Commonwealth Games and now World Championships.

“I have won gold medals in every competition I have played in. I have gained experience from every tournament. I have played in the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships. I have improved a lot,” she added.

With the Asian Games and the Paris Olympics just around the corner, it will be a big challenge for the youngster to challenge herself and adjust to the new weight category in such short time period.