New Delhi [India]: Indian boxers regaled their roaring fans with a bountiful of gold medals in the India Open International Boxing Tournament, led by the inimitable Mary Kom, Sanjeet, Manish Kaushik, Pwilao Basumatar, Lovlina Borgohain and Pinki Rani, Manisha here at the Thyagaraj Stadium on Thursday.
Uzebekistan and Cuba underlined their class and domination in the middle and heavy categories, helping themselves to four gold.
Five-time world champion Mary Kom got the loudest cheers as she overcame pain and a determined opponent 4-1 in Josie Gabuco of the Phillipines in the light-fly final.
She began on a cautious note, ensuring that she had enough power and punch left for the final rounds. She showed her swiftness and experience as she beat Josie Gabuco.
India had as many as nine boxers in the 10-final afternoon card, with two of them competing for the gold in the bantam-weight category. Assam would be particularly proud of their ladies, with Pwilao and Lovlina emerging as the next generation of golden girls.
Pwilao got the better of Sudapon Seesondee (Thailand) 3-2 in the light-welter category while Lovlina had it easier against Pooja in the Welter.
The country, however, suffered an unexpected setback in the form of former world champion Sarita Devi. She lost to Finland’s Marjut Mira Potkonan by a split decision in the light weight category.
Sanjeet began the gold march in the men’s heavyweight category, as he managed a split decision verdict over fancied Sanjar Tursunov of Uzbekistan.
India’s second disappointment came in the middle-weight division where Cameroon’s lanky and wiry Essiane Clotilde easily beat Saweety Boora. She brooked no opposition and scripted short route victories, both, in the semifinal and the final to take the gold.
Uzbekistan’s Bobo-Usmon Baturov was the most effective boxer, notching a convincing victory over India’s Dinesh in the welter weight category.
Cuba who lost their opening bout of the morning to Uzbekistan’s Israel Madrimov, continued their impressive run in the tournament with Iglesias Estrada squeezing out a 3-2 verdict in the in the middle weight final.(ANI)