Nitu Ghanghas has left an indelible mark on Indian boxing. Renowned as a formidable force in the ring, she earned the title of World Champion in the minimumweight category in 2023, adding to her impressive accolades. Nitu boasts a remarkable achievement as a two-time World Youth Champion in the light flyweight division. Her skills were showcased on the global stage with a gold medal triumph at the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, strengthening her status as a dominant force in women’s boxing and a source of immense pride for India.
Background
Nitu Ghanghas, born on October 19, 2000, in Dhanana village, Haryana, had a spirited upbringing. Introduced to boxing by her father, Jai Bhagwan, she struggled initially but persisted. Jai Bhagwan sacrificed his job and supported Nitu’s dream by overseeing her training and financing her expenses.
Nitu’s dedication caught the eye of renowned coach Jagdish Singh, leading her to join Bhiwani Boxing Club despite daily 40 km commutes on her father’s scooter. Amidst financial struggles and family support, Nitu pursued her passion for boxing while studying.
Career
In the Commonwealth Games 2022 held in Birmingham, Nitu earned the gold medal for India in the 48kg (minimum weight) category, showcasing extraordinary skills and determination. Her victory came after a 5-0 triumph over England’s Demie-Jade Resztan on August 7, 2022, marking a significant achievement for Indian boxing on the international stage.
Building on this success, Nitu continued her remarkable journey by securing another historic win at the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. In a strongly contested battle on March 25, 2023, she defeated Lutsaikhany Altantsetseg of Mongolia with an amazing 5-0 victory, thus marking her name in the annals of Indian boxing history. Notably, this triumph made her only the sixth Indian boxer, regardless of gender, to claim the prestigious title of World Champion, underscoring her exceptional talent and perseverance in the sport. Nitu’s achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring boxers across the nation.
Achievements
In 2017, the skilled boxer secured two prestigious titles, claiming the gold medal in both the Balkan Youth International Boxing Championship held in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the Women’s Youth World Boxing Championship in Guwahati, India, both in the 48-kilogram category. The following year, she continued her winning streak, triumphing in the 48-kilogram division at the Asian Youth Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, and also reaching the top at the Golden Glove of Vojvodina Youth Men & Women Boxing Tournament in Serbia.
Her success continued to shine in the 2018 as she conquered the Youth Women World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. In 2022, she once again showcased her skills, emerging victorious in the 48-kilogram category at the Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Her remarkable journey came to an end in 2022 at the XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, where she triumphed in the 45-48-kilogram division. In 2023, she built her status as a boxing sensation by winning the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, India, adding another illustrious title to her impressive collection.
