'Didn't I deserve to go to CWG?' asks boxer Manisha Moun

World Championships - a bronze in the women's 57k g category - from the Istanbul meet. Sad, as her entry in the 57kg category won't be sent by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Reason: the BFI has chosen four weight categories in the women's boxing to represent the country at the CWG.

These weight divisions include 48kg, 50kg, 60kg and 70kg, the trials for which will be held from June 9-11. The federation based its decision on the medal-winning probabilities of the country's women boxers in these categories. However, the 2019 Asian bronze medallist Manisha isn't impressed with the BFI's decision.

"When I won the medal at the Worlds, I just asked one question to myself 'Didn't I deserve to be part of the CWG contingent in the 57kg category? Didn't I deserve this opportunity?' Since my weight category is there, ideally the entry should have been sent," Manisha told TOI on the sidelines of a felicitation function to honour all three Worlds medallists - gold winner Nikhat Zareen, bronze medallist Parveen Hooda and Manisha - at the IGI stadium here on Tuesday. "For the last one year, I have been participating in the 57kg, which is an Olympic weight category. Earlier, I used to compete in the 54kg.

Six months before the Worlds, I had injured my right shoulder but made a strong comeback at the trials. Maybe, the BFI based its decision thinking that there's no good woman boxer available in the 57kg class. But after my performance at the Worlds, I have presented a strong case for my inclusion," Manisha added.