Indian boxer continues to impress at IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships
Three Indian boxers competing in Saturday’s International Boxing Association (IBA) Women’s World Boxing Championship were on track to reach the quarter-finals in their respective weight classes.
Nitu Ghanghas, Preeti and Manju Bamboriya stayed on course for day three of the competition being held here at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Sports Complex.
2022 Commonwealth Games champion Nitu Ganghas beat South Korea’s Kang Do-young to advance to the next round in the 48kg division. His 22-year-old boxer from Haryana quickly scored a point in his attack and the referee stopped the contest in favor of the Indian boxer before the South Korean boxer settled down.
Nitu said he was well prepared for his first match against South Korea, but expressed satisfaction with winning the first round.
“I was ready to face a Korean boxer, but winning the first round was a bonus,” said Nitu after his first-round win. “I’ll watch my opponent’s video in the next round and prepare accordingly.”
Nitu’s next round opponent is Sumaya Kosimova of Tajikistan.
Preeti advanced to the quarter-finals at 54kg with a 4-3 win over Romania’s Lakramioara Perjok, while Manju beat New Zealand’s Carla Falerau 5-0 at 66kg.
Pleat had the challenging task of proving himself against the silver medalists of the 2022 edition of the World Championships. After her victory, she expressed her satisfaction as follows.
“I’m happy I did my best in the first round against the Romanian boxer. It was important to win,” said Preeti.
It is Preeti’s second win in the competition and she will face Thailand’s Jutamas Jitpong in the Round of 16.
But Manju got off to a nervous start in the 66kg class, but got used to it as the fight progressed.
“I had better reach than my opponent, which was an advantage for me,” Manju revealed.
Meanwhile, 2022 African champion Imane Keriff of Algeria defeated Kenya’s Asiko Frieza Anyango in the 66kg division. The referee stopped the contest in the first round in favor of the Algerian boxer.
Sunday is expected to be an action-packed day as multiple Olympic medalists and world champions, including India’s Nikhat Zareen, perform in their respective weight classes.