Jyoti Gulia stuns world champ to enter quarters of Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament

New Delhi, February 24

Jyoti Gulia (51kg) upstaged two-time world champion Nazym Kyzaiby of Kazakhstan to enter the quarterfinals but three other Indians bowed out after second-round losses in the 72nd Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Gulia, a 2017 world youth champion, prevailed 3-2 over Kyzaibay, a gold-winner from the 2014 and 2016 senior world championships. The Haryana-boxer is also a 2019 national champion.

She will take on Romania’s Perijoc Lacramioara in her quarterfinal bout on Thursday.

However, there was disappointment in store for other Indians in fray on Tuesday, all from the men’s draw.

Naveen Kumar (91kg) went down to France’s Wilfried Florentin 5-0, while Ankit Khatana (75kg) lost a close one to Belarus’ Viktar Dziashkevich. The Indian was beaten 2-3.

In the light heavyweight (81kg) division, Sachin Kumar endured a 0-5 defeat at the hands of Armenian Gor Nersesyan.

The tournament features boxers from 30 nations, including France, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, United States of America and Uzbekistan.

India has sent a 12-member team for the prestigious event—seven men and five women. PTI