With at least two bronze medals in the heavier weight categories assured — courtesy byes for Anupama (81kg) and Neha Yadav (+81kg) to the semifinals — India will target a maximum number of podium finishes in the World youth women’s boxing championship, which started at the Nabin Chandra Bardoloi Indoor Stadium here on Sunday.
The response from the combat sport-loving Guwahati crowd was lukewarm considering the fact that there was no Indian in fray in a short schedule, consisting of only nine bouts of 51kg category on the first day.
“We have got good draws. Since we have managed to get two medals, the target now is to help every girl in the remaining eight weights to land a medal,” said Bhaskar Bhatt, the head coach of India.
Three Indians — Shashi Chopra (57kg), Vanlalhariatpuii (60kg) and Ashtha Pahwa (69kg) — will start their campaign on Monday.
“The training schedule is different for different sets of girls,” said Bhatt.