Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi,
Indian juggernaut rolled unabated for the second successive day as debutant Sonia, Pinki Rani and Simranjit Baath overpowered their respective rivals to keep the hosts sheet clean on the third day of the 10th AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships at the KD Jhadav Hall, IG Indoor stadium in Delhi on Saturday..
With this all the five Indian boxers in action have won their bouts making it five out of five for the hosts so far
21-year-old Sonia boxed her way into the featherweight pre-quarterfinals, getting a unanimous decision over her Moroccan rival Toujani Doaa while Pinki Rani knocked out Armenia’s Aush Gregoryan to win the flyweight bout 4:1 and Simranjit closed the day’s proceedings by thrashing Amela Moore (USA) 4-1in Light Weight.
In the first session of the day, Sonia picked up from where Manisha and Sarita Devi had left last evening , to give the winning start.
The featherweight (57 kg) boxer, who meets Stanimira Petrova of Bulgaria in her next round, commenced her campaign with a tactical move as she opened guard inviting the her rival to take the plunge.
After 54 world-class bouts, Day 3 has come to the end 💪💪💪
👀 results👉 https://t.co/uEoXu9bPXu
👀📸👉 https://t.co/m6zl3ePldO#WWCHs2018 #AIBAFamily #ChampsBornHere pic.twitter.com/k67oDt9s94— IBA (@IBA_Boxing) November 17, 2018
The Indian, managed to land a couple of left jabs and one straight during the first round which was a close one.. She continued with her left jabs, and used her unconventional methods, forcing the experienced Moroccan, to change her strategy and in the process lowered the guard more out of frustration than anything else. .
The last round turned out to be decisive as the Indian landed a right, then a combination of right-left and a left jab, even as clenches from both pugilists getting out of control, seeking referee’s intervention.
“I knew I had to maintain my distance and go close only to find openings. I was successful on a few occasions each in the first two rounds. But in the third, I went all out and used my combination punches,” said Sonia after winning the bout.
Earlier, former world champion Bulgarian—Petrova defeated Rianna Rios of the US in what was a one-sided bout.
In the evening Pinki Rani gave the hosts their fourth win as she ousted Armenia’s Aush Gregoryan in the flyweight bout 4:1
Both pugilists trading a flurry of blows in the first round of blows in the first round but a tactically better-equipped Indian punched her way into the next round, after having received a first-round bye.
The CWG bronze medal winner was getting too close for comfort which helped the European and World Youth Boxing champion charging at her with equally quick trading of punches, much to the chagrin of the Indian.
In the third, the Indian gained upper hand as the clocked ticked away. Close to the round, the Indian added another left-right to finish off in style as she got full points from all but one judge (30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 27-30, 30-27).
“My coach told me to keep distance and fight because I got very close in the first round,” said Pinki. After the bout
“I was confident as I picked up rhythm in the second as advised by my coach. I was moving nicely and landing some quick punches. I simply followed the same tactics in the third,” she added.
Simranjeet did what her four team mates had done earlier. She battled it out to send American Amela Moore packing and moved into the next round of 64 kg (Light welter ) .
. The Indian dominated the ring for most of the time though the American enjoyed a slight edge in the 3rd round but that was too little too late. Simranjeet started well l and in the first two rounds she defended well and then came up with very incisive jabs and punches which rattled her rival.
The power packed performance gave her 4-I win (29-28,30-27,30-27,29-28, 28-29). A visibly thrilled Simranjeet said “I was confident of winning and four earlier wins by team mates had boosted my confidence,It feels good to start with the win “