Indian boxers continued their triumphant march at home, with three pugilists advancing to the pre-quarters stage, each with a unique fighting style and contrasting wins at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi on Saturday. The sublime Nitu Ganghas, who previously lost in the quarter-finals, began her campaign with a resounding RSC win over Doyeon Kang of Korea. Employing a dazzling display of hook and left cross, Nitu unleashed a flurry of punches on Kang, prompting the referee to give two standing counts in favor of the Indian, much to the rapture of the partisan crowd at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall. All this happened in the first round itself, and to the bewilderment of Kang, who never recovered.
The ebullient Preeti, who secured a spot in the tournament after winning the Asian Championships bronze medal in 2022, had to work hard for her second win. Facing the daunting Lacramioara Perijoc from Romania, Preeti had to recover from a moment of surprise when Perijoc landed a straight jab. However, Preeti soon regained her composure and dominated the first round with her swift footwork and accurate punches, leading 3-2 at the end of the round.
In the second round, Perijoc resorted to body blows, while Preeti used her nimble feet to dance around the ring, looking for opportunities to land telling punches. The round ended in a narrow loss for Preeti, who trailed 2-3.
In the final round, both boxers fought with intense passion and resilience, landing powerful blows and showing off their skills. The fight was so close that it ended in a draw, and the bout had to go into a review. Finally, after much deliberation and analysis, the evaluator and observer ruled in favor of the Indian, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, Manju Bamboriya, the indomitable boxer from India, defeated Cara Wharerau of New Zealand with a commanding 5-0 unanimous verdict. Employing a combination of brute strength and agility, Manju delivered a masterclass performance, leaving her opponent clueless and overwhelmed.
In conclusion, the Indian boxers have once again proved their mettle and showcased their fighting spirit, much to the delight of the fans and the nation at large.
The photo has been taken from reuters
