IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships
The tenacious Preeti (54kg) who won bronze at the 2022 Asian Championships recorded her second win of the current tournament as she conquered Romania’s Perijoc with a 4-3 win on points after the bout was overhauled. The Haryana-born pugilist’s energetic approach helped her off to a strong start with her powerful punches and quick feet that stunned her opponent in the first round.
After a cautious start, Perijoc made an impressive comeback in the second round to make the fight a hotly contested affair. As the two pugilists faced off, it was Preeti’s technical ability and conviction that helped her defeat her opponent and knock him out in the final round to secure victory. The Indian will now face another silver medalist from last year’s World Championships, Jutamas Jitpong of Thailand in the round of 16.
In the 48kg category, 2022 Commonwealth Games champion Nitu Ghanghas comfortably edged South Korea’s Kang Do-Yeon with an RSC win in the first round himself. The 22-year-old’s attacking prowess proved too strong for the Korean who hasn’t had a single chance to settle into the fight from the start.
With Nitu’s relentless attack showing no signs of slowing down, the referee stopped the fight in the first round and handed the Indian her first win of the tournament. She will face Sumaiya Qosimova of Tajikistan in the next round.
Following the triumphs of Preeti and Nitu, Manju (66kg) also won his respective bout against Cara Wharerau of New Zealand with a unanimous decision and secured a clean sweep for the Indian boxers on day three of the tournament. The Indian will now face top seed Navbakhor Khamidova of Uzbekistan in her next fight.
Meanwhile, 2022 African champion Imane Khelif of Algeria made light work of Asiko Friza Anyango of Kenya and recorded a comprehensive victory in the 66kg category after the referee stopped the contest in the first round .
On Sunday, reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen will step into the ring against Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam in the 50kg category while 2022 World Championships bronze medalist Manisha Moun (57kg) kicks off her campaign.
Notable pugilists such as 2019 World Champion Nesthy Petecio from the Philippines, 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games bronze medalist Tsukimi Namiki of Japan, 2022 World Championships silver medalist Irma Testa, Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medalist Ingrit Valencia of Colombia and the 2022 World Championships bronze medalist duo of Brazilian Caroline de Almeida and Kazakh Karina Ibragimova will also be in action.
The current event sees the participation of 324 boxers, including several Olympic medalists, from 65 countries battling for the titles in all 12 weight classes. The tournament has a huge prize pool of INR 20 crore.
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