Thapa, Mary march into semis
M. C. Mary Kom ( 49kg) and Shiva Thapa ( 60kg) assured themselves of medals as India continued to dominate the ring at the $ 100,000 India Open boxing tournament here on Tuesday.
Seeded 12th, five- time world and Asian champion Mary Kom overwhelmed compatriot K. Bina Devi.
The 35- year- old from Manipur prevailed 5- 0 in a lopsided contest.
Also advancing but with a hard- fought win was L. Sarita Devi ( 60kg). Sarita edged past Thailand’s Peamwilai Laopeam in a split 4- 1 decision to set up a clash with Priyanka Chaudhary, who defeated Indonesia’s Huswatun Hasanboy 5- 0.
Manoj Kumar ( 69 kg) overpowered compatriot Pawan Kumar 5- 0 to enter the semi- finals.
World bronze medallist Thapa, a three- time Asian championships medal winner, beat Uzbek Sherbek Rakhmatulloev in a split verdict.
He next faces Manish Kaushik, who out- punched Filipino Charly Suarez in his quarters bout.
But top seed and world championships silver medallist Sonia Lather ( 57kg) bowed out of medal contention, losing her quarter- final in a split 3- 2 verdict to Indonesia’s Christian Marwan Jembay.
Another top seed to make an exit in the quarters was Pooja Rani ( 75kg), beaten by Essiane Clotilde of Cameroon in a split 2- 3 verdict. Among other prominent names in the men’s section, who made it to the last- four stage were K. Shyam Kumar ( 49kg), Satish Kumar (+ 91kg) and Ankush Dahiya ( 60kg).
Saweety Boora ( 75kg) defeated Nepal’s Saraswati Rana. World youth champion Shashi Chopra beat Y. Sandhyarani.