Guwahati: Aspiring Indian boxers Shashi Chopra and Astha Pahwa stormed into the next rounds of the AIBA Women’s World Youth Championships, even as Vanlalhariat Puii made her exit in the preliminary round at the Nabin Chandra Bardoloi Indoor stadium in Guwahati, on Monday.
Shashi, who recently clinched the silver medal at the Ahmet Cormet boxing tournament in Istanbul, was on the attack mode right from the start keeping her opponent Rakhmatova Durdonakhon of Uzbekistan on the back-foot, all through the three rounds. Her double jab combo, followed by a three-punch left-right-left burst, gave her the lead in the opening round as the Uzbek boxer found it hard to tackle the Indian.
The second round was a similar battle as Shashi continued her aggressive intent and landed some heavy blows. Rakhmatova though tried bouncing back and punched a few, most of which were out of target. She even suffered a standing count, after a vicious left hook from Sashi caught the Uzbek on the right temple. Shashi continued her attacks, keeping it simple in the final round to eventually win the bout, by an unanimous decision.
“I am very happy with my first round victory. I was confident I could win the bout if i stuck to the plan and not allow my opponent to score points. I also kept my punches straight and struck effectively,” said Shashi after the match.
Meanwhile, Astha Pahwa defeated her Bulgarian opponent to progress to the quarter-finals, in the welter weight category. It was open match with both boxers throwing random punches but Pahwa’s successful conversion rate of hitting the target mattered in the end and she was eventually declared the winner.
The Indian will next face Turkey’s Oltu Canser who easily accounted for Campball Tywarna of Australia. “I just boxed the way I box, aggressively. I did not allow my opponent to settle down and attacked her whenever she dropped her guard,” said a happy Pahwa.
Russia’s Shamonova Anastasiaa however stole the show with a completely dominating performance, outclassing USA’s Moreu Sharahya, once again proving as to why she is one of the most feared boxer in the women’s circuit.
Poland’s Natalia staged the biggest upset of the championships thus far, when she stunned title contender Karolina Makhno in a middleweight clash. The former won by a convincing 5-0 margin.
Day 2 Results:
Light Fly (45-48kg): Tdorova Emi-Mari (BUL) bt Clayton Danielle (AUS) won on unanimous points decision 5-0; Nie Yuan (CHN) bt Denholm Billie (SCO) on unanimous pts 5-0; D’Almeida Gloria (FRA) bt Duwal Asmita (NEP) on points; Fryers Caitlin (IRL) bt Nasu Misaki (JPN) on a unanimous points decision.
Bantam (54kg): Puszka Daria (POL) bt Blue Fayzullaeva Maftuna (UZB) on a unanimous points decision 5-0.
Feather (57kg): Rodionova Valeriia (RUS) bt Timlin Amy (ENG) on a unanimous points decision 5-0; EN Havanur (TUR) bt Vozniak Olha (UKR) on unanimous points 5-0; Mauermann Emily (GER) bt Thapa Magar Sisam (NEP) on unanimous points 5-0; Glover Victoria (SCO) bt Sorrentino Giordana (ITA) on a split decision; Monkhor Namuun (MGL) bt Piteau Victoire (FRA) on a split decision; Shashi Chopra (IND) bt Rakhmatova Durdonakhon (UZB) on a unanimous points decision.
Middle (75kg): Shamonova Anastasiia (RUS) bt MOREU Sharahya (USA) on a unanimous points decision 5-0; Marczykowska Natalia (POL) Makhno Karolina (UKR) 5-0; Karakoyun Selma (TUR) bt Petrovics Gabriella (HUN) 3-2 on split decision; O’Connor Georgia (ENG) vs Yu Xueting (CHN) on a unanimous decision 5-0; Yang Ya-Chu (TPE) bt Kelly Lauren (IRL) on a unanimous points decision 5-0.
Light (60kg): Kholova Idimokh (TJK) Villas Veronika (HUN) DSQ in 3rd round; IM Aeji (KOR) bt Vanlalhariat Puii (IND) 3-2 on points; Benmessahel Fatia (FRA) bt O’Toole Sian (ENG) on unanimous points 5-0; Fruean Pelea (NZL) bt Rakhimova Makhliyo (UZB) on points 4-1; Fruean Pelea (NZL) bt Rakhimova Makhliyo (UZB) on points 4-1.
Welter: (69kg): Popp Alina (GER) bt Budai Vivien (HU) 5-0; Meleshko Nataliia (UKR) bt Barbusinska Natalia (POL) 4-1; Oritz Citlalli (USA) bt Ryabets Nadezhda (KA) 4-1 on points; Reiley Shannon (IRL) bt Hussey Olivia (ENG) on a split decision 3-2.