Hyd’s Nikhat dedicates award

Hyderabad/Sofia: Nikhat Zareen, who kicked off her 2019 season on a high note by winning a historic 51kg Gold for India in Sofia on Tuesday, had also dedicated her medal to the slain CRPF men.India finished with seven medals -- three gold, a silver and three bronze medals -- at the 70th Strandja Memorial International tournament. "I am very pleased with my performance as I have been able to prove myself once again at the international stage, winning my second gold in as many tournaments at the senior level.

This win will give me a lot of confidence going into this season. I will look forward to more chances to improve and win more medals for the country. I would like to dedicate my medal to the families of brave CRPF jawans, victims of the Pulwama terror attack last week,” she said.Speaking to The Hans India, Nikhat’s father Jameel Ahmed echoed similar sentiments of that of her daughter. He said: “Nikhat has achieved an incredible win and the results 5-0 speaks volumes about it.

Moreover, it is her first medal of the season, the first for our nation in Sofia and I appreciate her decision to dedicate her win to slain CRPF men.”The 22-year-old from Hyderabad, supported by JSW Sports, came through a stunning run of form during the competition, winning all her bouts with ease and toppling the Philippines’ Magno Irish 5-0 in the final to win her second international gold medal since recovering from a career threatening shoulder injury.

Nikhat beat Giovanna Marchese of Italy, Yana Burym of Belarus and Sandra Drabik of Poland on her way to the championship bout. The win marks the second gold in as many international tournaments for a fit-again Nikhat, who underwent surgery on a career-threatening shoulder injury exactly two years ago.