Nikhat Zareen punches out world champ Ekaterina Paltceva

New Delhi, March 18

India’s Nikhat Zareen stunned reigning world champion Ekaterina Paltceva of Russia to breeze into the women’s 51kg quarterfinals at the Bosphorus Boxing tournament in Istanbul.

Zareen, the Asian Championship bronze medallist, caused a major upset on the second day of the tournament last night when she out-punched the Russian boxer 5-0. The Indian pugilist has yet another tough bout ahead as she takes on two-time world champion Kyzaibay Nazym of Kazakhstan in her last-eight round.

Shiva Thapa, the 2013 Asian champion, Sonia Lather and Parveen also registered victories in their respective categories to proceed to the quarterfinals.

Thapa got the better of Kazakhstan’s Smagulov Baghtiyov 3-2 in the men’s 63kg division. World Championship silver medallist Lather (57kg) and Parveen (60kg) beat local favourites Surmeneli Tugcenaz and Ozyol Esra 5-0 in their respective women’s second-round matches.

However, it was curtains for Duryodhah Negi (69kg), Brijesh Yadav (81kg) and Krishan Sharma (+91kg). — PTI