India's Gold Rush at World Boxing Cup: A Mixed Bag of Triumph and Concerns
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India's impressive haul of 20 medals at the World Boxing Cup Finals, including a record nine gold, has sparked a mix of joy and unease. The home team's dominance on their own turf has raised questions about the authenticity of their performance. While India's boxers have made history by medalling in every division, some of their wins came in unusually one-sided matches. The competition, which featured a diluted field due to several top teams skipping the event, saw India field a full-strength squad in all 20 weight categories. This allowed them to capitalise on the absence of powerhouse nations like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, and the USA. Only 26 top-ranked boxers participated, with many countries sending second or third-string teams. Despite the concerns, several Indian boxers have emerged as standout performers. Preeti Pawar, who overcame a lengthy battle with Hepatitis A, produced a remarkable comeback by beating reigning world champion Huang Hsiao-wen and world bronze-medallist Sirine Charrabi. Parveen Hooda, returning from a doping suspension, also claimed gold, while Nikhat Zareen won an international medal for the first time since last year, shaking off months of inconsistency. Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh has defended the tournament, saying that the main aim was to help Indian boxers gain crucial ranking points and secure better seedings in future events. While the competition may not have been the strongest, it has provided a much-needed confidence boost to several Indian boxers. As the sport's governing body, World Boxing, looks to the future, the question remains: how representative is India's World Boxing Cup success of their true capabilities?
