Splendid show

Projected as a sports capital in the making, Guwahati can bask in the glow of successfully organising the AIBA Women’s Youth World Championship. The Indian team ended on top with five golds and two bronzes, the country’s best performance by far in this championship. Powerhouses Russia and Kazakhstan were pushed to second and third places as Indian eves went on the rampage. For local fans, it was an unforgettable experience to see lightwelter Ankushita Boro knock over opponents in spectacular style. If she was aggressive and went for the jugular in the initial bouts, she displayed canny ring craft and patience to wait for the kill in her semi-fil and fil bouts. Her hand speed, superb footwork and boxing skills came as a revelation against the Thai and Russian opponents she was up against in her last two matches. It came as no surprise when Ankushita was med the best boxer of the championship, the news triggering celebrations across the State.  The other four gold medallists, Jyoti Gulia, Nitu, Sakshi Choudhary and Sashi Chopra, all hail from Harya, proving once again what a powerhouse the State has become in Indian sports. Budding boxers can take much inspiration from the mantra that the Indian team’s high performance director Rafaele Begamasco set to his wards for this tourney: “Keep it simple, keep it fast, keep it furious. Spare no quarter, give none.” With such an approach, no wonder the Indian eves galvanised spectators here and made their country proud.