Six-time World champion Mary Kom (51kg) and 2018 World Championships bronze winner Simranjit Kaur (60kg) grabbed gold as Indian boxers finished their campaign at the 23rd President’s Cup in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia with nine medals on Sunday.
While the women had a flawless record in the finals, winning all the four gold medals on offer, the men had mixed fortunes, settle for two silver along with three gold. The superb all-round performance also helped the contingent win the ‘Best Team’ award.
Thanking one and all
M.C. Mary Kom, who claimed the gold destroying Australian April Franks 5-0 in a lop-sided final, tweeted “Gold medal for me and for my country at #PresidentCup Indonesia. Winning means you’re willing to go longer,work harder & give more effort than anyone else. I sincerely thanks to all my Coaches and support staffs of @BFI_official @KirenRijiju @Media_SAI.”
Simranjit Kaur was equally impressive in her final against Indonesia’s Asian Games bronze medallist Hasanah Huswatun, winning 5-0.
In 54kg, Assam’s young and bright talent Jamuna Boro did not put a foot wrong in a 5-0 demolition of Italy’s veteran boxer Giulia Lamagna, while youngster Monika, fighting in 48kg, ended the challenge of Endang of Indonesia by a similar scoreline.
Among the men, Ankush Dahiya (64kg), Neeraj Swami (49kg) and Ananta Pralhad Chopade (52kg) were crowned champions in their respective weight categories.
Emphatic wins
Chopade did not show any nerves in a strong 5-0 win over Afghanistan’s Rahmani Ramish for his first significant international medal. Dahiya outpunched his opponent, Macau’s Leung Kin Fong, 5-0 to lay his hands on the top prize.
Neeraj had it tougher and dropped a point for a 4-1 gritty win over Filipino pugilist Macado Jr. Ramel.
However, it was a heartbreak for former World Championships bronze medallist Gaurav Bidhuri who gave his all but was edged 3-2 by Indonesian Mandagie Jill in the 56kg bantamweight bout. Dinesh Dagar found Indonesia’s Samada Saputra too strong and was dealt a 5-0 defeat in the final.
The results (finals):
Women: 48kg: Monika bt Endang (Ina) 5-0; 51kg: M.C. Mary Kom bt April Franks (Aus) 5-0; 54kg: Jamuna Boro bt Giulia Lamagna (Ita) 5-0; 60kg: Simranjit Kaur bt Hasanah Huswatun (Ina) 5-0.
Men: 49kg: Neeraj Swami bt Macado Jr. Ramel (Phi) 4-1; 52kg: Ananta Pralhad Chopade bt Rahmani Ramish (Afg) 5-0; 56kg: Mandagie Jill (Ina) bt Gaurav Bidhuri 3-2; 64kg: Ankush Dahiya bt Leung Kin Fong (Mac) 5-0; 69kg: Samada Saputra (Ina) bt Dinesh Dagar 5-0.
