Winning start for Indian boxers Sonia Lather, Manisha Moun, Sachin Siwach

India Open Boxing : Mary, Ankushita to start a campaign today

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: 2016 World Championships silver medallist Sonia Lather (57kg), Asian Championships bronze medallist Manisha Moun (57kg) and former world youth champion Sachin Siwach (52kg) gave India a bright start in the 2nd India Open International Boxing Tournament which got underway at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium here today.

2017 Youth World Champion Jyoti (51kg), 2018 world Youth silver medallist Anamika (51kg) and Shashi Chopra (60kg) led the youth brigade to wins as all seven Indians emerged victorious on an opening day to move into the quarter-finals.

Sonia proved too strong for Nepal’s Chandra Kala Thapa and was declared a winner by unanimous decision to move into the 57kg quarter-finals. Manisha, who won the bronze in the continental event in 54kg, continued her good form to notch up a 4-1 win over Nesthy Alcayde Petecio of Philippines and join Lather in the last-eight.

On the other hand Sachin Siwach used his height and exuded confidence with his flurry of punches to secure a flawless 5-0 win over Argentina’s Ramon Nicanor Quiroga.

In 60kg, Preeti Beniwal boosted her medal-winning hopes with a commanding 5-0 win over Nepal’s Sangita Sunar. Among the rising stars, Jyoti put up a spirited display in her 4-1 win over Irish Ardiente Magno of Philippines while Anamika was deemed the winner by virtue of RSC (Referee Stop Contest) over Filipino Claudine Decena Veloso in Round 3.

Shashi Chopra, youth world champion in 2017 in 57kg, made a seamless transition to 60kg to start off with a one-sided 5-0 victory over Tandin Choden over Bhutan.

Thailand’s two-time Olympian and former Asian champion Chatchai Decha Butdee asserted his supremacy in 56kg with a dominant 5-0 victory Nepal’s Surendra Rai.

Meanwhile, local Girl Ankushita Boro will start her campaign in the tournament tomorrow along with six-time world Championship Mary Kom. Ankushita will be seen in action in 64kg and Mary in the 51kg category.

Earlier the tournament was inaugurated by education minister of Assam Siddhartha Bhattacharya in presence of several other dignitaries.

Also read: Local Sports