Gold rush

Guwahati, May 24 

Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom and the seasoned L Sarita Devi spearheaded India’s gold rush at the second India Open boxing tournament, which concluded today. Asian Games gold medalist Amit Panghal thwarted a spirited challenge from giant killer Sachin Siwach with a well-calculated display to clinch the gold by a 4-1 verdict in the highly-competitive 52kg men’s category.

Overall, India swept the medals in four men’s categories (52kg, 81kg, 91kg and +91kg) and in three women’s categories (51kg, 57kg and 75kg) to conclude their campaign with 12 of the 18 gold medals up for grabs.

India, who had bagged six gold medals in the inaugural edition in New Delhi last year, doubled their gold count in the event, which witnessed a depleted field with a no-show from Uzbekistan.

Sarita Devi won her first gold in three years after beating Simranjit Kaur 3-2. Making her debut in the 60kg category, Simranjit impressed in the first round with some telling blows. But Sarita fought back with a counter-attacking display as she celebrated the win looking upwards, dedicating the gold to her mother Laishram Khomthonbi who passed away last year after suffering from cancer. “This gold belongs to my mother. I lost my dad early and my mother made me the boxer that I’m now. This gold has come after a long time. I’m missing her very much at this moment,” said Sarita, who last won a gold at the 2016 South Asian Games in Shillong.

Mary Kom saw off a valiant fight from former national champion Vanlal Duati of Mizoram to emerge winner by unanimous decision. Nikhat Zareen and Jyoti took the bronze medals for an all-Indian finish in the podium.

Home favourite Shiva Thapa avenged his semifinal defeat to defending champion Manish Kaushik in last year’s edition to grab the 60kg gold in front of a boisterous crowd. Thapa began with a tight vigil and was seen in his aggressive best from Round 2 onwards en route to get a unanimous verdict.

Having moved to the new weight category earlier this year, Panghal, who had won the Asian Games gold in 49kg, had a tough first round as former world youth champion Siwach used his height advantage. Taller by six inches, Siwach who ousted World Championships bronze medallist Rogen Ladon and Commonwealth Games champion Gaurav Solanki in the previous rounds, was full of energy and confidence.

To negate this, Panghal opted to play the waiting game, ducking most of his opponent’s punches and staying out of his range. “I think he’s the tallest boxer I have faced till date. I fought with some tall boxers in the Asian Championships but Sachin is taller than them,” the 5’3” Panghal, who won the 52kg gold in the Asian Championships after beating Hasanboy Dusmatov, said. “You have to have a long reach and play an in-and-out game. It takes a lot of effort and stamina,” he said, terming it the toughest bout of the meet. 

National champion PL Prasad and Solanki took the bronze in the 52kg category.

India had a setback in the 64kg when national champion Rohit Tokas suffered a knee twist in the first round and forfeited the bout to Richarno Colin. Tokas thus had to settle for the silver, bettering his bronze medal feat at the last edition. In the men’s 75kg category, Ashish Kumar pulled out of the final against Filipino Eumir Felix Delos Santos. Ashish had suffered a forehead injury during his semifinal. — PTI