Nandini bows out in quarters

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4  

Chandigarh’s medal hopes received a major jolt after one of the team's strongest contenders, Nandini, was beaten in the 4th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championships in Kannur (Kerala) today.

Nandini, who was part of the 2019 Women’s World Boxing Championships squad, was knocked out 4-1 by Shaily Singh of Uttar Pradesh in the 81kg quarterfinal bout.

Meanwhile, other boxers from Punjab and Chandigarh continued their winning run in their quest to reach the medal round. Punjab boxers Minakshi (48kg), Riya Rani (54kg), Manu Badhan (75kg) and Parminder Kaur (81kg) registered wins. 

Among the Chandigarh girls, Ritu progressed in the 57kg category with a second-round win over Jammu & Kashmir’s Neha Bhagat. Neema (64kg) also marched ahead by defeating Maharashtra’s Simran Mendon 5-0.

World Championships silver medallist Sonia Chahal (57kg) and Youth World Champion Jyoti Gulia (51kg) stormed into the quarterfinals. Sonia, who won the 57kg gold in 2016 and bronze in 2017, faced stiff resistance from All India Police’s Sandhyarani Devi in the 57kg category, but she fought well to complete a 4-1 victory.

“I started slow but was able to go on all-out attack in the third round. I am happy with my performance. Getting the gold here is important for me as it will give me the confidence to play the trials for the Olympics qualifiers. I hope to give my best and get the gold,” said Sonia.

Youth Olympian and Youth World Champion Jyoti Gulia (51kg), representing Railways, however, had a much tougher time in the ring. Chandigarh’s India Open silver medallist Monika proved to be quite a challenge for Gulia, who needed to dig deep to edge her opponent for a tight 3-2 victory.

Cologne World Cup gold medallist Meenakumari Devi, who is also the defending champion in the 54kg class, did not need to exert too much energy as won through an RSC (Referee Stopped Contest) decision in Round 3 against UP’s Kanika Chaudhary.

Cologne World Cup silver medallist Pwilao Basumatary also made an impressive start to her gold medal quest in the 64kg class against Delhi’s Aarti Rawal. The Assam pugilist, representing RSPB, emerged the winner through RSC in Round 3.

The 2019 President's Cup (Indonesia) gold medallist Monika landed a flurry of strong punches in her 48kg bout to record a commanding 5-0 win over Himachal Pradesh’s Jyotika Bisht. The knockout stages will start on December 6.