Former World champion L. Sarita Devi led a host of favourites into the semifinals of the Monnet Senior National women's boxing championships at the Lulu International Convention Centre here on Wednesday.
Though cagey bouts were the order of the day, Sarita had an easy day in office as she warmed up for tougher duels by demolishing Rijumoni Pator of Meghalaya in the quarterfinals of the 51kg category. Sarita quickly got into her stride and scored points with ease before referee stopped the contest at the end of the first round.
Suman survives a scare
Last year's bronze medallist Suman survived a scare from Arunachal's Tonibala Chanu before winning her quarterfinal bout 4-2 in the 51kg category. Suman was penalised two points by referee for stamping on her rival's foot deliberately in the first round. But Suman counter-attacked and pushed her rival to a corner. She connected with a straight left to score her first point and later a combination of left and right punches saw her equalise the scores at the end of the third round.
In the fourth round, it was turn of Tonibala Chanu to be penalised for the same offence which saw Suman end as the victor.
Last year's bronze medallists Rumi Gogoi (Assam) and H. Chaoba Devi (Manipur) were engaged in an interesting duel in the 57kg category.
The two boxers – who are both junior internationals – again figured in a close contest that went to the wire. Rumi who was trailing 0-1 till the end of the third round turned tables on her rival in the last round.
In the fourth round, H. Choaba Devi tried to hold on to her precious lead but Rumi went all out and equalised the scores at the start of the fourth round with a straight right and in the dying seconds connected with a right hook to stun her rival.
Defending champion Vanlal Duati entered the semifinal with an easy win over Krisha Thapa in the quarterfinal of the 48kg weight category.
The results (quarterfinals): 48kg: Monita Devi (Aru) bt Aarti (Del) 2-1; Roshni Bhusal (Meg) bt Hemanti Thapa (Utr) 1-0; Vanlal Duati (Tri) bt Krisha Thapa (MP) 4-0; Mamta (Bih) bt Alphonsa Mariya Thomas (Ker) 7-1.
51kg: Daljeet Kaur (Pun) bt R.Nirosha (AP) 1-0; Rebecca Lali Mawi (Miz) bt Vinita 1-0 Suman (Har) bt Tonibala Chanu (Aru) 4-2; L. Sarita Devi (Man) bt Rijumoni Pator (Meg) RSC; Preeti Mehra (Pun) bt Lal Buatsaihi (Miz) 2-0; Sonia (Har) bt Ch. Lata Rani Devi (AIP) 4-0; Geeta (Del) bt Manta panda (Ori) 1-0; Sushma Kumari (RSPB) bt PH Sony Chanu (Man) 2-0.
57kg: Rumi Gogoi (Asm) bt H.Chaoba Devi 2-1; Dorothy Lal Chhanhimi (Miz) bt Rajwati (HP) RSC; Kamala Bisht (AIP) bt Kavita Bhatt (UP) 7-0; Pavitra (Har) bt Jyoti Bora (Utr) 11-0; Kross Hmangaihsangi (Miz) bt Jiji Varghese (Ker) RSC; Moinca Saun (Pun) bt Sangeeta Kumari (Utr) 5-0.
60kg: Savita (Del) bt Meena Rani (UP) 10-0; Chhotu Loura (RSCB) bt Radia Devi (Manipur) 4-0.
