NITU, MANISHA CRUISE INTO LAST EIGHT OF WORLD BOXING MEET
NEW DELHI: Former youth world champion Nitu (48kg) and 2019 Asian Championships bronze medallist Manisha (57kg) became the first Indians to enter the quarter-finals of the women’s world boxing championships, after registering contrasting wins in Istanbul on Saturday. Nitu, who won gold in the Strandja Memorial tournament in Sofia this year, beat Spaniard Lopez del Arbol by a unanimous decision in the pre-quarterfinal bout. The Bhiwani boxer dominated the proceedings from the start, displaying aggression, speed and footwork as she landed precise punches.
Nitu, 21, maintained her attacking approach in the next two rounds without giving any chance to her opponent, winning the bout 5-0. She will face Kazakhstan’s Alua Balkibekova in the quarter-finals on Monday.
Manisha (57kg) prevailed 4-1 over Svetlana Staneva of Bulgaria in a hard-fought bout that saw both boxers trade punches throughout the three rounds. Manisha held her nerve and secured the verdict of the judges at the end. She will take on youth world bronze medallist Namuun Monkhor of Mongolia next on Monday. On Sunday, six Indians will be in action in Round of 16 bouts. Big Indian medal hope Lovlina Borgohain lost her 70kg second round bout on Friday.
Nikhat (52kg) and Shiksha (54kg) will face Mongolian Lutsaikhan Altantsetseg and youth Asian bronze medallist Yesugen Oyuntsetseg respectively while Parveen will take on former Youth Olympic champion Jajaira Gonzalez of the US. Anamika (50kg) will meet world championships bronze medallist Kristy Lee Harris of Australia while Jaismine (60kg) will be up against Australian Angela Harries. 2017 youth world champion Ankushita (66kg) will make her senior worlds debut against Poland’s Aneta Rygielska.
Indian boxers have won 36 medals, including nine gold, eight silver and 19 bronze, in the 11 previous editions of the tournament, third highest tally after Russia (60) and China (50). In the last edition in 2019, India won one silver and three bronze medals in Russia.