L. Sarita Devi advanced to the quarterfinals on a mixed opening day for India at the Strandja Memorial boxing tournament for men and women here on Monday.
Sarita (60kg), a former World and Asian champion who fetched a silver at last month’s India Open, defeated Italian Manchese Conceha in a split 3-2 verdict.
However, Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Pinki Jangra (51kg), who won a gold at the India Open, went out with a first-round loss. Pinki was beaten by Romanian Maria Claudia Nechita in a split 3-2 verdict.
India was assured of a medal when Seema Punia (+81kg) got a direct entry into the semifinals due to the presence of just three boxers in her weight category.
