National women’s boxing c’ship: Shavinder enters medal rounds

Shavinder Kaur Sidhu’s patience and self-belief benefitted her as the Punjab policewoman stunned defending champion Shikhsha 3-2 in a keenly-fought 54kg quarterfinal bout to enter the medal rounds in the National women's boxing championship at the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex here on Wednesday.

A two-time Natinal junior champion, Shavinder, who had lost to eventual gold medallist Neeraj in a 51kg first round bout in the previous edition but was lucky to be included in the National camp, emerged as a better boxer in the last one year.

Shavinder Kaur Sidhu's perseverance for over a year finally helped her as the Punjab policewoman stunned defending champion Shikhsha 3-2 in a keenly-fought 54kg quarterfinal bout to enter the medal rounds in the National women's boxing championship at the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex here on Wednesday.

A two-time Natinal junior champion, Shavinder, who had lost to eventual gold medallist Neeraj in a 51kg first round bout in the previous edition but was lucky to be included in the National camp, emerged as a better boxer in the last one year.

A product of a private academy, set up by some big-hearted sports-lovers in Chakar village near Ludhiana, Shavinder used her experience in the camp to rely on her counter-punches while blocking the Railways boxer's tough right ones.

“My inclusion in the National camp came as a blessing. Sparring with so many good boxers and inputs from coaches really helped. Beating a defending champion has boosted my confidence,” said Shavinder, who came in the medal bracket in her third attempt.

“We have a good bunch of boxers in Punjab Police, which facilitates good training when the National camp does not happen,” said Shavinder, whose younger sister Muskan is also a National bronze medallist.

Another Punjab girl, title holder Simranjit Kaur warded off a strong challenge from Lalbuatsiahi of Mizoram to record a 5-0 victory and reach the 64kg semifinals.

Important results (quarterfinals):

48kg: Monika (Har) bt Rebecca (Miz) 5-0, Bina Devi (Man) bt Archana Thapa (Utk) 5-0, Rajesh Narwal (RSPB) bt Khushboo Tokas (Del) 5-0, Varsha Choudhery (UP) bt Aarohi Birajdar (Mah) 5-0.

51kg: Meenakshi (RSPB) bt Vanlalduati (AIP) 3-2, Sarjubala Devi (Man) bt Deepa Kumari (MP) 5-0, Ritu (Har) bt Lalnunfeli (Miz) 5-0, Nikhat Zareen (Tel) bt Abha (Cht) 5-0.

54kg: Shavinder Kaur Sidhu (Pun) bt Shiksha (RSPB) 3-2, Manisha (Har) bt Purnima Rajput (MP) 5-0, Jamuna Boro (Asm) bt Richa Sharma (WB) 4-1, Meena Kumari (AIP) bt Kros Hmangaihsangi (Miz) 4-1.

57kg: Sonia Lather (RSPB) bt Kamla Bisht (Utk) 5-0, Sandhya Rani (AIP) bt Sarita (MP) 5-0, Sonia (AP) bt Manjesh Singh (UP) 5-0, Shashi Chopra (Har) bt Dimple Tanwar (Raj) 5-0.

60kg: L.Sarita Devi (AIP) bt Aquillia Dupak (Aru) RSC-R1, Monika (Har) bt Priyanka Thakur (Pun) RSC-R2, Priyanka Choudhery (Utk) bt Bhagyashree Purohit (Mah) 5-0, Pavitra (RSPB) bt Chaoba Devi (Man) RSC-R2.

64kg: Pwilao Basumatary (RSPB) bt Stanzin Youthak (J-K) 5-0, Poonam (AIP) bt Poonam Kaithwas (Mah) 5-0, Pravish Chanu (Man) bt Nisha (Har) 4-1, Simranjit Kaur (Pun) bt Lalbuatsiahi (Miz) 5-0.

69kg: Lovlina Borgohain (Asm) bt Priyanka Tewatia (D&D) 5-0, Heena Tokas (Del) bt Suman Kumari (Raj) RSC-R1, Memthoi Devi (AIP) bt Nupur (Har) 4-1, Pooja (RSPB) bt Gagandeep Kaur (Pun) 5-0.

75kg: Pooja Rani (Har) bt Jyoti (Raj) 5-0, Indraja K.A. (Ker) bt S. Marathamma (AP) 3-2, Alari Boro (Asm) bt Shobha (Del) 5-0, Rumi Gogoi (RSPB) bt Avneet Kaur (Chd) 5-0.