Strandja Memorial 2023: Anamika, Govind and Anupama sign off with silver medals

Indian boxer Anamika signed off with a silver medal after going down to China’s Hu Meiyi in the light weight final of the Strandja Memorial Tournament, here on Sunday.

Anamika poses with her silver medal after the match. | Photo Credit: BFI

Govind Sahani (48kg), Anamika Hooda (50kg) and Anupama Kundu (81kg) closed their campaign with silver medals at the 74th Strandja Memorial International boxing tournament in Sofia on Sunday.

With three silver medals and five bronze, India finished the event with eight medals.

In an engaging duel involving two southpaws, Sahani was beaten 4-1 by Asian under-22 silver medallist Uzbek Shodiyorjon Melikuziev.

Sahani delivered some well-directed head shots, whereas the aggressive Melikuziev exhibited his combination of solid hooks and upper-cuts to emerge as the winner.

In the women’s section, Anamika was beaten 4-1 by 2019 Asian youth silver medallist Chinese Hu Meiyi, while Anupama was outslugged 5-0 by Australian Emma-Sue Greentree.

Anamika landed a flurry of punches on Meiyi but the tall southpaw Chinese displayed her strong guard and swift legs to stay safe. Meiyi used her long reach to deliver scoring shots and walk away with the gold.

The well-built Anupama used her power-packed punches but could not get past the technically sound Aussie. Emma-Sue threw clear head shots from a distance to secure the top honour.

Female pugilists S.Kalaivani (48kg), Shruti Yadav (70kg) and Monika (+81kg) and male boxers Bishwamitra Chongtham (51kg) and Sachin Siwach Jr. (54kg) took bronze medals.

The results (finals)

Men: 48kg: Shodiyorjon Melikuziev (Uzb) bt Govind Sahani 4-1; Women: 50kg: Hu Meiyi (Chn) bt Anamika Hooda 4-1; 81kg: Emma-Sue Greentree (Aus) bt Anupama Kundu 5-0.