Indian boxers win 8 medals at Balkan Open

Besides four golds, the Indian boxers won one silver and three bronze medals while Indian youth team was also adjudged as the best team in the championship.

The Indian boxing contingent which participated in the Balkan Open Youth International Championships.

Young women boxers of the country claimed eight medals, including four gold, in the Balkan international boxing championship at Sofia and emerged as the most successful nation in the event.

Nitu (48kg) defeated Emi-Mari Todorova of Bulgaria, while Shashi Chopra (57kg) got the better of Italian Giordana Sorrentino in the final to bag gold medals.

Sakshi took the 54kg top honour after referee stopped contest, involving Biancamaria Tessari of Italy, in the second round.

Neha Yadav (+81kg) pipped Adrienne Juhasz of Hungary to pick up another gold medal.

Ankushita Boro (64kg) settled for the silver medal, while Joy Kumari Lama (51kg), Anupama (81kg) and Sapna (75kg) gathered bronze medals.

The overall performance in the event, which also featured boxers from several top European countries, will provide a boost to the women boxers ahead of the AIBA women’s youth world championship in Guwahati from November 19 to 26.