Nakul Shivani/ New Delhi

2022 is winding down. As we get ready to welcome 2023, Awazthevoice revisits some of the iconic moments in Indian sports during the year gone by.

Nikhat Zareen becomes world boxing champion

Nikhat Zareen etched her name in the annals of Indian boxing history by winning the world championship in the 52 kg weight category. She defeated Thailand’s Jutamas Jitpong to become only the fifth Indian women boxer to win a world title in Istanbul in May. Infact in 2022, Nikhat apart from winning the gold at the world championship, won gold at the National championship, the CWG and the Stranjde Memorial championship.

It was an incredible year for me, winning 3 consecutive international gold medals and topping it off by winning the Elite women's national boxing championship gold medal. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/JrqWdkKsp6

— Nikhat Zareen (@nikhat_zareen) December 26, 2022

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Neeraj Chopra wins Diamond League

The poster-boy of Indian sports, Neeraj Chopra set a new standard for himself and Indian athletics in 2022. He followed his gold medal winning feat in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 by winning a silver at the world championship and a gold at the prestigious year-ending Diamond League at Zurich. Neeraj became only the second Indian after Anju Bobby George to win a medal at the world championship.

Incredible feeling to close the 2022 season as Diamond Trophy winner. The atmosphere was brilliant and it was extra special to have my uncle and friends in the stadium. Happy to win my first 💎 trophy!

Sabhi ke pyaar aur support ke liye bahut bahut dhanyawad. 🙏🏻 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/zfVlMHUEIx

— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) September 9, 2022

ALSO READ: Olympian Neeraj and Naseem share a Guru-shishya bond

Thomas Cup triumph in Badminton

The Indian badminton men’s team wrote a new chapter in the history of Indian sports by winning the Thomas Cup team championship for the first time ever. The Indian team consisting Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy and the doubles pair of Satwikreddy and Chirag Shetty defeated powerhouses like Malaysia, Denmark and Thailand on way to scripting history.

The Indian men's Badminton team after winning the Thomas Cup

ALSO READ: Arbaaz wins gold for India; Jabir is Bihar champ

Indian women’s Hockey team wins Nations Cup

The Indian women’s hockey team won the inaugural Nations Cup and ensured a place in the FIH Pro League event. During the course of the tournament, they won all their matches including over stronger opponents like Ireland and Spain. 

That @thehockeyindia trophy lift 🥹🇮🇳🏆

Winners of the #FIHNationsCup and qualification to the #FIHProLeague 👏

Watch all the highlights on the @watchdothockey app 📲 pic.twitter.com/yKE5zz9HRy

— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) December 17, 2022

It was not just the win in Spain, but also their victory celebrations that won hearts of hockey fans back home.

Cheer For India!

Big claps 👏👏👏 for #IndiaWomensHockeyTeam on homecoming after clinching #FIHNationsCup held at Valencia in Spain. With the win, the team has also qualified for the FIH Pro League for 2023-2024.

Our girls' winning spirit is high. Best wishes. @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/5o8bil0LjR

— RajyavardhanRathore (@Ra_THORe) December 20, 2022

Indian athletes kept aside the disappointment of shooting not being part of the games by winning 61 medals at the quadrilateral event. While the boxers, wrestlers and table tennis players lived up to their top billing, there were some surprises too. In Triple jump India won two medals and in Lawn Bowling four hitherto unknown ladies made the country fall in love with the sport.

ALSO READ: Thank you Ladies! India has fallen in love with Lawn Bowls

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