Former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen (52kg) has entered into the second round of the National Women’s Championships with a thumping win in her opening bout on Thursday.
Zareen who is representing Telangana, and is also an Asian championships bronze-winner, decisively surpassed Goa’s Siya Walke in her first-round clash to move ahead.
Previously, Delhi’s Hemlata defeated PS Mantasaha Kumari from Assam 4-0 in the 50kg category.
Hemlata gave Mantasha negligible chance whatsoever as she connected her jabs to clarity and won the contest on a unanimous basis at St Joseph’s International School.
Dominating the 50kg category were Goa’s Priti Chawan, who beat Monika Pandey of West Bengal by referee stopping the contest (RSC) verdict, and Punjab’s Komal, who blanked Sonia Gauni of Uttarakhand 5-0.
Another highlight of the first day was the excellent performance from Maharashtra’s Aarya Kulkarni (52kg), who beat Yape Bamang of Arunachal Pradesh 5-0. It was a display of total domination from Kulkarni, evident from round one, and she did not let go till the final round to register an easy win.
The tournament is being hosted in association with the Haryana Boxing Sangh, and features more than 320 pugilists from 36 States/Union Territories/Boards from across the country.
There was an edge-of-the-seat contest between Madhya Pradesh’s Anjali Sharma (52kg) and Tamil Nadu’s V Vinodhini. Both boxers stood toe-to-toe throughout the fight, with Anjali just edging out Vinodhini 3-2 in the final verdict.
The gold and silver medallists of the ongoing championships shall be earning themselves a place in the national coaching camp.
The remaining two names for the camp in each category may be selected on the basis of performances in the selection trials, which shall take place following the Nationals.
