World Boxing Championships: Supreme Sonia soars into final, Simranjit claims bronze

Sonia Chahal staged a stunning display to seal her berth in the final of the 57kg category, while Simranjit Kaur lost her semifinal bout to bag the bronze medal in the ongoing World Boxing Championships.

India Sonia Chahal in action against North Korea's Son Hwa Jo during their 57kg category semifinal bout on Friday.

In another brilliant show resilience, Sonia Chahal stunned North Korea's Asian Games silver medallist Son Hwa Jo 5-0 to earn India a coveted second spot in the finals of the World women's boxing championships at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex here on Friday.

For the third bout in a row, Sonia remained unaffected despite being battered by superior opponents and scripted her comeback within her limitations in the 57kg semifinal contest. The 21-year-old's entry into the title clash is the first time since 2014 that two Indians have reached the final.

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The home fans will look forward to Mary Kom and Sonia's final bouts on Saturday.

Sonia's victory once again underlined her ability to recoil, which helped the young boxer cross one hurdle after another to crawl up the tough draw.

Sonia Chahal salutes the crowd after reaching the 57kg category final on Friday.

 

The Haryana counter-puncher was flustered in the first round when the quick-moving and hard-punching Son got through the Indian's loose defence and landed two lusty blows on her face.

To her credit, Sonia got her act together in the next round. She used her long reach to stay away from Son's grasp, who tried to close the gap and deliver shots in fraction of a second.

Sonia gained some ground through her attacks in the final round as her combination of one-left-and-two -right kept the North Korean quiet.

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Sonia, who had beaten last edition's silver medallist Sonia Lather in the selection trials, will take on former World youth champion and European silver medal winner Ornelia Wahner of Germany in Saturday's final.

Flashing a black circle under her right eye due to a blow in the bout, Sonia admitted that the feeling of booking a place in the summit clash was hard to sink in. “My coaches said I trailed in the first round, but I got better later. I cannot believe that I have made it to the final,” she said.

Simranjit Kaur lands a punch on Dan Duo during their 64kg category semifinal bout on Friday.

 

The Indian supporters were disappointed with the loss of a brave Simranjit Kaur, who went down fighting to Asian championships medallist Dan Duo of China in a 64kg last-four bout with a 4-1 verdict.

Simranjit did her best against the skillful and brawny Chinese. The Indian impressed with her ring coverage and fine replies even as Dan went ahead because of her clean and smart punching skills.

“It was a difficult bout and I did whatever I could do,” said Simranjit.