Pinki Rani used aggression as her password to enter the semifinals of the women’s fly (48-51kg) category in the boxing events here on Wednesday.
The manner in which the 24-year-old from Haryana went about demolishing her Papua New Guinean rival, Jacquiline Wangi, in the quarterfinals was a welcome sight.
Later, Sarita Devi also made it to the semifinals. She came back from behind to score a brilliant points decision over Charlene Jones (Wales) in the women’s light (57-60kg) category.
In the men’s heavy weight category (91kg), Amritpreet Singh, despite holding the height advantage, lost to Stephen Lavelle of Scotland on points.
The biggest shock for the Indian contingent came when Sumit Sangwan lost to David Nyika of New Zealand in the 81kg category.
In the women’s middle weight (69-75kg), Pooja Rani had her run cut short by Savannah Marshall (England), again on points.
L. Devendro Singh also ensured himself of a medal as he entered the semifinals of the men’s light fly (49 kg) category with a points win over Aqeel Ahmed of Scotland in the round of last eight.
PTI reports
P.V. Sindhu and P. Kashyap notched up easy victories to storm into the pre-quarterfinals of the badminton event.
The Indian shuttlers had a good day as P.C. Thulasi, R.M.V. Gurusaidutt, K. Srikanth and the men’s doubles combination of Pranaav Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar, too, reached the last-16.
World No. 11 Sindhu strolled past South Africa’s Sandra Le Grange 21-4 21-6 in just 17 minutes, while Kashyap streamrollered Dakeil Thorpe 21-9, 21-5 in 19 minutes.
Thulasi made mincemeat of Ireland’s Sinead Chambers 21-10, 21-2 in 24 minutes, while Gurusaidutt brushed aside Edwin Ekiring of Uganda 21-13, 21-11 in a contest that lasted half-an-hour.
Srikanth demolished Daniel Font of Wales 21-8, 21-13 while Pranaav and Akshay thrashed the Sri Lankan combination of Sachin Dias and Buwaneka Dullewa 21-10, 21-9 in a 23-minute tie.