2 city boxers in National Games finals

Two city boxers have made it to the finals of the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand today. Anshul Punia (50kg) in the men’s category and Pranshu Rathore (75 kg) in the women’s category will go for the gold medal at the Shri Hari Singh Thapa Sports College Indoor Stadium in Pithoragarh on Friday.

Punia beat Changlemba by a split decision 3-2 in the men’s flyweight category. Pranshu Rathore beat Ekta of Himachal Pradesh by a split decision 4-1 in the women’s middleweight category. The 21-year-old will face the 2020 Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain in the final. “I am really excited about the final and counting on my performance to come through,” Rathore, a master’s student, said.

Hisar-born Anshul, 22, is a passout of SD College, Sector 34, and has represented India in the sub-junior category. He came to Chandigarh in Class IX in SD School to pursue her dream in boxing. Pranshu, 25, is a passout of Government College, Sector 42, and has done BPED and NIS diploma from Patiala.

This is for the first time that city pugilists will return with five medals from the National Games. Three other boxers bowed out in the semifinals today, settling for a bronze.

Hosts Uttarakhand boxer Nivedita prevailed over Chandigarh girl Ritika by unanimous decision 5-0 in the light flyweight category.

Another Uttarakhand girl Kajal got a walkover after welterweight boxer Mannu did not take to the ring as she was unwell.

Light heavyweight Nitish Kumar’s dream of winning a gold was cut short by Services Lakshya when referee stopped the contest in the first round due to an injury. “Nitish had sustained an injury in the semifinal bout yesterday. It turned out a bit unlucky for us as two of our promising boxers sustained injuries in the semis. We have a very good chance of winning gold here,” said NK Dureja, team manager.