Page 47 - NIS English 16-30 June 2022

India's sporting passion Sports

NEW WORLD CHAMPION OF WOMEN'S BOXING

"HOW DID THEY BEAT ME SO BADLY?
I WILL ANSWER IT NEXT TIME."

This was said by Indian boxer
Nikhat Zareen at the age of 12
when she got into the boxing ring
for the first time and had to suffer
a lot. There was a dark circle under
the eyes and blood was coming
from the nose. After this match,
seeing the injured Nikhat, her

THOMAS CUP VICTORY AN INSPIRATION FOR mother had tears in her eyes, but Nikhat never
GENERATIONS TO COME took the defeat on the first day lightly. Maybe,
her same attitude helped her win a gold medal
Thomas Cup victory is also special because India at the Women's Boxing World Championships
defeated the world's best team in badminton
Indonesia 3-0 in the final match. Only six nations have held in Istanbul, Turkey on May 20, 2022. Nikhat
won the title in the Thomas Cup tournament held so Zareen joins an elite list of Indian boxers who
far. Indonesia is the most successful team, having have become world champions, including Mary
won 14 times. China, which did not begin participating Kom, Sarita Devi, Jenny RL, and Lekh KC. Prime
until 1982, has won 10 titles. Malaysia has won the Minister Narendra Modi himself congratulated
title 5 times. Denmark, India, and Japan have won the her on this stupendous achievement.
title once. Soon after the victory of the Indian team,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the players and mixed team in 10m Air Rifle, and Jerlin Jayarachgan
congratulated them and also hosted the winning team in badminton singles, Diksha Dagar in women's
at the Prime Minister's residence on 22 May. In an golf, Jerlin Jayarachgan, and Abhinav Sharma in
interaction with the players, Prime Minister Modi said, badminton mixed doubles and Sumit Dahiya in
“This team has infused a lot of energy in the country wrestling won the gold medal. Prithvi Shekhar and
by winning the Thomas Cup. The long wait of seven Dhananjay Dubey won silver, while Shaurya Saini,
decades is finally over. Anyone who understands Vedika Sharma, Prithvi Shekhar, Jafrin Sheikh,
badminton must have dreamed about it, a dream you Virendra Singh, and Amit Krishna won bronze. India's
have fulfilled. Such successes infuse a lot of energy last best performance in the Deaflympics was in 1993
and confidence in the entire sports ecosystem of the when Indian players won a total of seven medals. This
country. Your victory has done something that cannot included five gold and two bronze medals. Hosting
be accomplished by the oratory style of the greatest these sportspersons at his residence on May 21,
coaches or leaders. Now India cannot be left behind. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “When someone
Your victory is inspiring many generations to take up with a disability excels in international sports, their
sports." He also told the women's badminton team achievement resonates beyond the sports world. It
that reached the quarter-finals in the Uber Cup, “Our reflects the culture of the country and at the same
women's team has proven its excellence time and time, it shows the sensitivity, feelings, and respect of
again; It's just a matter of time, if not this time, we will all the countrymen towards their outstanding abilities.
definitely win next time." That is why your contribution to creating a positive
INDIA'S BEST PERFORMANCE IN THE HISTORY OF image is far more than that of other players. Keep this
passion and enthusiasm going. This spirit will open
THE DEAFLYMPICS new avenues for the development of our country
In the Deaflympics, India finished ninth in the medal and ensure a bright future.” Shooter Dhanush, in a
tally with 16 medals. Dhanush Srikkanth, Abhinav conversation with the Prime Minister, said that 'Khelo
Deshwal in 10m Air Rifle, Badminton mixed team India' is helping a lot of the athletes or sportspersons
event, Dhanush Srikanth and Priyasha Deshmukh
at the grassroots level. g
New India Samachar June 16-30, 2022 45