Spearheaded by Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and World champion Nikhat Zareen, altogether four Indian boxers won their respective quarterfinal bouts to enter the last four of the World women’s boxing championships at the K.D. Jadhav Hall, here on Wednesday.
Lovlina (75kg) secured her third Worlds medal, while Nikhat (50kg) and Saweety Boora (81kg) were set to claim their second. Nitu Ghanghas (48kg) would have her maiden Worlds medal.
Four Indians, Sakshi Chaudhary (52kg), Manisha Moun (57kg), Jaismine Lamboria (60kg) and Nupur Sheoran (+81kg), suffered losses.
In a highly physical contest, Lovlina saw off Mozambique’s Worlds bronze winner Rady Gramane 5-0.
The lanky Lovlina maintained a good distance and used her counter punches, including an effective left jab and a surprise right, despite receiving a few solid blows from Rady. She will meet two-time Olympic medallist and former World champion Li Qian of China.
In a neck-and-neck fight, Nikhat edged past another tough opponent, double Worlds bronze medallist Chuthamath Raksat, 5-2 through ‘bout review.’
The experienced Indian, a 52kg World champion, landed spectacular shots to stay ahead of the nimble-footed Thai by an identical 3-2 margin in the first two rounds.
Nikhat displayed better footwork and connected counters from a long range in the third. Following some confusion because of the announcement about the other ring’s result, she was named the winner.
Nikhat will face Colombian World and Olympic medallist Ingrit Valencia.
Commonwealth Games champion Nitu achieved a rare hat-trick of RSC wins as she toppled two-time Worlds bronze winner Madoka Wada of Japan. In a repeat of last edition’s quarterfinal contest, Nitu will meet Kazakh Asian champion and Worlds silver medallist Alua Balkibekova.
Saweety, who got a bye, fought bravely to beat hugely-built Belarusian former Worlds bronze medallist Viktoriya Kebikava 5-0 and ensure a medal after nine years. Saweety will take on Australian Emma-Sue Greentree.
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