Cologne, Apr 12:
Reigning youth world champion Sakshi (57kg) and Pwilao Basumatary (64kg) Friday entered the final while Pinki Rani (51kg) and Parveen (60kg)settled for bronze medals after losing their semifinal bouts at the Cologne Boxing World Cup here.
A prodigious talent, the 18-year-old Sakshi gave glimpses of her maturity and prowess by outpunching Thailand’s Tintabthai Preedakamon in a commanding 5-0 victory. The two-time world youth champion faces 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Michaela Walsh from Ireland in the final.
Basumatary had a different path to the summit clash in the 64kg. The Strandja Boxing Championships bronze medallist had to dig deep to see off the stiff challenge of Denmark’s Aiaaja Ditte Frostholm in a split decision. The 26-year-old will take on China’s Chengyu Yang in the final.
India will have a chance of adding a third gold through Strandja Boxing gold medallist Maisnam, who has directly been placed in the final in 54kg due to a smaller draw. Maisnam will lock horns with Machai Bunyanut from Thailand in what would be her only bout of the tournament.
In 51kg, Pinki Rani’s brilliant run came to an end at the hands of Ireland’s 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Carly McNaul, who blanked the Indian 5-0. English pugilist Paige Murney was declared the winner over Parveen in 60kg.
India had sent a seven-member team to this prestigious European event this time following a haul of six medals from the erstwhile Chemistry Cup held at Halle last year.
Gaurav Solanki (52kg) and Mohammed Hussamuddin (56kg) were the only Indians to stand on the top podium in the last edition.
Twenty-one nations took part at this tournament across 17 weight categories and it will help elite boxers to hone their skills ahead of the World Championships to be held later this year. (PTI)
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