Rohtak: Former World and Asian champion L Sarita Devi (60kg) and World Championships silver-medallist Sonia Lather (57kg) clinched the gold medals at the National Women’s Boxing Championships on Saturday.
Sarita who represented the All India Police (AIP) defeated former national champion Pavitra of Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), to claim the gold in the finals.
The marquee clash of the day however was the summit clash between world silver-medallist Sonia Lather of RSPB and world youth champion Shashi Chopra of Haryana. For a bout expected to draw out the best from both the boxers, Sonia used all her experience to outwit the young competitor and win the gold.
Meena Kumari (54kg) of AIP and Rajesh Narwal (48kg) of RSPB clinched the top honours after going past Manisha of Haryana and Monika of Uttar Pradesh respectively.
Meanwhile, former World Championships silver-medallist Sarju Bala Devi (48kg) representing Manipur not just won the gold but went a step ahead and was awarded the best boxer trophy for her excellent performances that culminated with a 3-2 victory over Ritu of Haryana to clinch what was the state’s sole gold medal and also her second successive national title.
Traditional powerhouse Haryana however disappointed managing just one gold medal, that came through Pooja Rani (75kg), who ousted Assam’s Alari Boro in the finals. Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) emerged the overall champions on Saturday with five golds and two bronze medals in their kitty.
FINAL RESULTS:
Light Fly (45-48KG): Rajesh Narwal (RSPB) bt Monika (Har) 3:2.
Bantam (51-54KG): Meena Kumari (AIP) bt Manisha (Har) 5:0;
Light Welter (60-64KG): Pwilao Basumatary (RSPB) bt Simranjit Kaur (Pun) 5:0;
Welter (64-69KG): Pooja (RSPB) bt Lovlina Borgohain (Asm) 3:2;
Middle (69-75KG): Pooja Rani (Har) bt Alari Boro (Asm) 5:0;
Light Heavy (75-81KG): Bhagyabati Kachari (RSPB) bt Kalawanti (Har) 4:1;
Heavy (82KG): Seema Poonia (RSPB) bt Kavita Chahal (AIP) 5:0;
Fly (48-51KG): Sh Sarju Bala (Man) bt Ritu (Har) 3:2
Feather (54-57KG): Sonia Lather (RSPB) bt Shashi Chopra (Har) 5:0;
Light (57-60KG): L Sarita Devi (AIP) bt Pavitra (RSPB).