Indian pugilists off to a flying start

New Delhi: India were off to a perfect start at the youth world boxing championships in Kielce, Poland with Poonam (57kg) and Vinka (60kg) advancing to the pre-quarterfinals after notching up contrasting opening-round wins. While Poonam out-punched Colombia’s Valeria Mendoza 5-0, Vinka edged past Russia’s Daria Panteleeva 3-2 to make the Last16 stage on Tuesday. Next up for Poonam is Hungary’s Beata Varga. Vinka, on the other hand, will square off against Kazakhstan’s Zhuldyz Shayakhmetova. India have fielded a 20-member contingent — 10 men and as many women — for the marquee age group event.