Vietnamese boxer Nguyễn Thị Tâm won silver at the IBA Women's Boxing Championship's light fly weight (50kg) in New Delhi, India. — Photo IBA

Boxing

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese boxer Nguyễn Thị Tâm has made her country proud with a historic silver medal finish in the IBA Women's Boxing Championships' light flyweight (50kg) category in New Delhi, India, on Sunday.

Tâm had a tough outing in the final match, losing 0-5 to the defending champion, Nikhat Zareen of India.

Zareen, who was the favourite to win the tournament, had moved down from 52kg, where she had previously held the title.

Tâm displayed immense talent to reach the final, but Zareen proved to be a formidable opponent with her precise punches, taking the lead from the first round.

Tâm was forced to be more aggressive in the search of points, but Zareen demonstrated her experience by maintaining distance, frequently moving and attacking in moderation.

Tâm, despite her best efforts, could not turn the tide in her favour.

Ultimately, the judges from Japan, Australia, Egypt, Peru, and Venezuela unanimously awarded the title to Zareen with a score of 5-0.

However, Tâm's incredible feat of being the first Vietnamese boxer to reach the final of a world boxing tournament deserves recognition.

While Zareen received a bonus of US$100,000 for her gold medal, Tâm earned a well-deserved $50,000 for her exceptional achievement.

This result serves as a tremendous motivation for Tâm to defend her gold medal at the SEA Games, her silver medal at the Asian Games 19, and, most importantly, to secure her ticket to the Paris Olympics 2024.

Tâm appeared at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the women’s under 51kg category, becoming the first female Vietnamese boxer to do so.

She also won the Asian championship title in 2017, a significant milestone in Vietnamese boxing history. — VNS