Nikhat, competing in only her second event since returning from a shoulder injury, battled through a scrappy 51kg semifinal against Uzbekistan’s Ganieva Gulsevar to clinch a unanimous decision — her first international medal since the 2023 Strandja Memorial. Calling the win “a fresh start” after the Paris Olympics, she said she is confident of striking gold against Chinese Taipei’s Guo Yi Xuan in the final.

India will have six finalists on Thursday: Nikhat, reigning world champion Jaismine Lamboria, Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, Pawan Bartwal, Sachin Siwach and Hitesh Gulia. Jaismine impressed with a flawless 5-0 decision over Kazakhstan’s Ulzhan Sarsenbek, while Jadumani drew the loudest cheers with his relentless victory over Australia’s Omar Izaz.

Three Indians — Neeraj Phogat, Sumit Kundu and Jugnoo — settled for bronze after semifinal losses.

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