Women’s World Boxing Championships: Indians maintain all-win record

Sonia Chahal, Pinki Rani and Simranjit Kaur kept the Indian flag high by registering comprehensive victories over their rivals on the third day of the Women’s World Boxing Championships at the KD Jadhav Stadium here on Saturday.

Sonia overcame a tough challenge from Moroccan boxer Doaa Toujani to win her 57kg second round bout 5-0, while Simranjit Kaur beat Amelia Moore of the US 4-1 in a 64kg bout. 

But the most intense battle of the day was witnessed during the bout between Pinki and former World Youth champion Anush Grigoriayan of Armenia in the 51kg second round encounter, where the Indian – after getting a bye in the first round – emerged winner by using her controlled aggression.

Having been known for her intense career-long rivalry with five-time world champion MC Mary Kom, 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Pinki impressed with her controlled aggression during her 4-1 victory over Armenian.

The 28-year-old made a careful start amidst an exchange of blows. Her approach was to keep a distance from her opponent and whenever she came close, she counterattacked. The Armenian, with her powerful blows, got frustrated with Pinki’s approach and tried hitting a few punches in the air.

“Since my rival was attacking from the word go, I tried to keep a distance as was told by my coaches. It paid off and I’m sure that I would be able to win a medal this time around,” Pinki said after the bout.

Pinki will be up against English boxer Alice Jones, who defeated Andrea Llanos of Spain 5-0, in Round of 16.

Simranjit, on the other hand, landed some crucial punches towards the end of third round to win her battle against US pugilist Moore. After the first two rounds, the bout hung in the balance as both the boxers tried to use defensive tactics. Simranjit will now meet Megan Reid of Scotland in the next round.

Pinki Rani acknowledges the crowd after her victory on Saturday

Sonia impresses

The day started with Sonia, playing in her third World Championships, stunning an experienced Moroccan in her second round.

The 21-year-old featherweight boxer, who fails from Nimri village in Bhiwani district of Haryana, stuck to her watchful style to stun experienced Doaa Tujani of Morocco and enter the 57kg pre-quarterfinals. 

The rookie boxer, with an open guard, frustrated her rival throughout the three rounds to win on a unanimous decision.

If her open guard was an invitation for her rival to attack, her fine evasive action along with quick feet movement made it almost impossible for the Moroccan to land punches. Sonia took her opponent by surprise by landing left jabs and one straight during the first round.

“I knew I had to maintain my distance and go close occasionally to attack. I struck to the task given to me by my coaches,” said Sonia after the bout, adding: “I went all out and used my combination punches towards the last.”

Though Sonia got a unanimous decision at that last but the points suggested that it was a well fought out bout between the Indian and the Moroccan. All five judges gave 10-9 points in all the three rounds to either boxers. Toujani got only one favourable decision from a judge in the second round as Sonia won 29-28, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.

Sonia, who settled for a bronze earlier this year at the Ahmet Comert Boxing championship, will now take on Stanimira Petrova of Bulgaria in her next.

RESULTS (Indians only)

5:0 Sonia Chahal (IND) bt Doaa Toujani (MAR) in 57kg

4:1 Pinki Rani (IND) bt Anush Grigoryan (ARM) in 51kg

4:1 Simranjit Kaur (IND) bt Amelia Moore (USA) in 64kg

OTHER RESULTS

• Among other results on Saturday, Bulgaria’s Stanimira Petrova defeated Rianna Rios of the US in what was a one-sided bout against the Fort Carson soldier. The sergeant in the US Army was no match to the former world champion Bulgarian. 
   
• On Sunday, five Indians, including five-time world champion MC Mary Kom, will take the field. The 35-year-old, who got a first round bye, will begin her campaign against Aigerim Kessenayeva of Kazakhstan in 48kg.