Pinki strikes gold, named ‘Best Boxer’ in Arafura Games

Pinki Jangra (51kg) was the lone Indian pugilist to strike gold at the Arafura Games and the ’Best Boxer’ trophy provided the icing on the cake even as two of her compatriots settled for silver medals after losing in the finals of the event in Darwin, Australia.

The 21—year—old Jangra beat Siona Fernandes of New Zealand 18—13.

The National Games gold medallist was down a point at 4—5 in the opening round, but she made a brilliant recovery in the second and the third, to take the score at 12—10.

Pinki was awarded with the ‘Best Boxer’ title for her fine performance in the tournament.

She shot into prominence in the domestic circuit after defeating world champion M C Mary Kom in the quarterfinal of the 2009 Senior National Championship, and earlier this year she pulled the rug from under former world champion L Sarita Devi’s feet at the National Games in Jamshedpur.

“It was a big learning experience for me and I am very happy with my performance,” she said.

Meena (60kg) and Pooja (75kg), however, had to settle with silver medals performance as they lost the final bouts in their respective weight category.

Meena was up against Alexis Pritchard of New Zealand.

The reigning national champion was disqualified after being warned thrice during the bout.

Pooja, on the other hand, was leading after the first two rounds, but her Australian opponent Arlene Blencowe kept coming back and tied the score at 13—13 in the third round.

In the fourth, however, intense action ensued, and in the end it was the Australian who emerged victorious on points at 19—17.

Earlier, in the tournament 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh (81kg) and Olympian Akhil Kumar (56kg) lost their semi—final bouts to settle for bronze medals in the men’s competition.

Indian boxers thus ended their campaign with a gold, two silver and an equal number of bronze medals.