Defending champion Meena Rani (UP) spoiled former world bronze medallist Chhotu Loura's (RSPB) comeback by winning a narrow semifinal bout in the 60kg division of the Monnet 11th National Senior Women's boxing championship at the Lulu International Convention Centre on Thursday.
The judges decided in favour of Meena 11-10 after both boxers were tied at four points each at the end of the fourth round. Easily the most exciting bout of the evening, Meena had to dig deep into her reserves to connect with a left hook in the dying seconds of the fourth round to equalise the scores.
A fast tiring Chhotu was in the lead by a point after Meena was penalised two points by the referee in the third round. In the last round, the Railway boxer was a bit defensive while Meena went all out and took the deserving point. Chhotu had started in style taking a 2-0 lead at the end of the first round. But Meena clawed back and wrested the lead when Chhotu was penalised two points by the referee.
Kavita sizzles
However, there were no hiccups for Asian Games bronze medallist Kavita Goyat in the 69kg category as she stormed into the final. Kavita's class was evident as she started aggressively to open up a four-point lead against Madhya Pradesh's Ankita Gayrta. However, Ankita was too defensive and rarely troubled Kavita who scored quite easily. The referee stopped the contest midway through the third round with Kavita leading 8-0
In the 51kg, Sarita Devi crushed Suman to take her appointed place in the final. Suman's challenge faded out after a close second round. But Suman's tendency to expose her left flank while counterattacking was to bring her downfall as the experienced Sarita connected with a few straight ones to score crucial points in the third and fourth rounds.
Geeta does well
Youngster Geeta Solanki scored a significant win of her fledgling career as she overcame experienced Sushma Kumari and entered the final in the 54kg weight category.
Geeta, competing in her first senior Nationals, beat two-time champion and international Sushma after seizing control of their bout from first round. After nailing a point at the end of the first round, the youngster grew in confidence and counter attacked whenever her opponent lowered her guard to score crucial points. Sushma couldn't connect most of her punches as Geeta deftly evaded them to chalk out a win.
The results (semifinals):
48kg: Monita Devi (Aru) bt Roshani Bhusal (Meg) 3-0; Vanlal Duati (Tri) bt Mamta (Bih) 5-2. 51kg: Rebecca Lali Mawii (Miz) bt Daljeet Kaur (Pun) 3-0; Sarita Devi (Man) bt Suman (Har) 12-5.
54kg: Sonia (Har) bt Preeti Mehra (Pun) 3-1; Geeta Solanki (Del) bt Sushma Kumari (RSCB) 4-2.
57kg: Dorothy Lal Chhanhimi (Miz) bt Rumi Gogoi (Asm) 3-2; Pavitra (Har) bt Kamla Bisht (AIP) 15-4.
60kg: Monika Suan (Pun) bt Kross Hmangaihsangi (Miz) 4-0; Meena Rani (UP) bt Chhotu Loura (RSPB) 11-10.
64kg: Aruna Misha (AIP) bt Sumann (Har) 3-2; Lal Ramngeni (Miz) bt Minu Basumatary (Asm) 3-2. 69kg: Kavita Goyat (Del) bt Ankita Gayrta (MP) 8-0 RSC.
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