Nguyễn Thị Tâm of Việt Nam beat Wassila Lkhadiri of France to earn a historic spot in the finals of the IBA World Women's Boxing Championship in India. Photo courtesy of the IBA

HÀ NỘI — In what will be a momentous occasion for Vietnamese boxing, Nguyễn Thị Tâm will become the first-ever domestic amateur boxer to fight in a world championship final when she steps in the ring on March 26 against Nikhat Zareen of India.

Tâm defeated French contender Lkhadiri Wassila on March 23 in New Delhi, India, by a resounding score of four rounds to one in the IBA Women's Boxing Championship's light flyweight (50kg) semi-finals. 

Wassila, a former French champion in the 54kg category and twice in the 51kg division, is no stranger to the competitive world of boxing, having secured European championship bronzes in 2014 and 2019.

However, Tâm, 28, is no stranger to fighting the best. She is Boxrec's No. 1 ranked flyweight in the world and has been a national champion for a long time. She already has several notable titles to her name, including the regional SEA Games title in May last year. She is also the reigning Asian champion.

The fighter out of HCM City dominated the French pugilist throughout, losing only the second round on the judges' scorecards. 

Nguyễn Thị Tâm is announced winner of the IBA World Women's Championship's quarter-finals on March 22 in India. Photo of IBA

Tâm's semi-final success has broken new ground for amateur boxing in Việt Nam.

The country's best result before now was a bronze in the women's 81kg category by Nguyễn Thị Hương at the 2019 tournament in Russia.

Tâm has guaranteed a bonus of US$50,000 as a finalist, a figure that will be doubled if she beats Zareen on March 26.

Nguyễn Thị Tâm lands a punch on Spanish Laura Fuertes Fernandez in the quarter-finals. Tâm will take on Indian Nikhat Zareen in the final on March 26. — Photo of IBA

In the other semi-final, Zareen defeated No. 5 seed Ingrit Lorena Valencia Victoria of Colombia 5-0. 

The Indian boxer is the 52kg reigning champion but is competing in the lighter weight class this year.

As a host athlete, she will have the raucous support of home fans when she steps into the ring. 

The 27-year-old Zareen won gold at the 2011 World Youth Champions and a silver from the 2019 Asian Championship.

Last year, she beat Thailand's Jitpong Jutamas in the final in Istanbul.

On her way to the final, Zareen ousted No. 1 seed Boualam Roumaysa of Algeria in the first round. VNS