Istanbul: Indian Women Boxers Bag Nine Medals, Including One Gold

Indian women boxers displayed tremendous skills during the Ahmed Comert International Boxing Championship. The pugilists bagged nine medals, including a gold in the tournament that ended in Istanbul on Sunday, Yahoo News reports.

Haryana’s Bhiewandi, born Soniya, smashed down Zhazira Urakabeva from Kazakhstan 4-1 in the 48 kg category. She became the star of the contingent winning the gold medal.

Parveen, Ankushita Boro, Shashi Chopra and Niharika Gonella returned with silver medals in different weight categories. Parveen lost to Anastasiia Artamonova of Russia 2-3 in the 54 kg category, while Shashi Chopra ended up with a silver against Vladislava Kukhta of Kazakhstan with a 2-3 margin.

Ankushita Boro (60kg) and Niharika Gonella (75 kg) lost to Cagla Aluc of Turkey and Shamonova Anastasiia of Russia with 0-5 and settled for a silver each.

Jyoti also earned the Best Sporting Boxer as India finished third in the overall medal tally.

Jyoti (48kg), Tilotama Chanu (60kg), Manisha and Lalita from 64 kg weight category returned with bronze medals. However, Jyoti also earned the 'best sporting boxer' as India finished third in the overall medal tally.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Lalita won against local favourite Candu Cakir in a split verdict. Also, Ankushita Boro beat Aleyna Turk in the same weight category. Shashi clinched victory against Turkey's Havanur En. Manisha (69kg) and Thailand's Thanchanok Saksri, both in a 3-2 decision.

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Tilotama defeated Russia's Anna Kzasnoperova while Parveen beat Ayten Cumentor of Turkey. And gold medalist Soniya of 48 weight category won over Ukraine's Olga Shalimova. The Best Sporting Boxer also thrashed Mlisa Polat in a unanimous verdict.

This great show of boxing skills brings a new ray of hope for Indian women’s boxing. The government should acknowledge their efforts and bring in initiatives to promote boxing among women. It should help organize frequent domestic boxing tournaments to strengthen their skills and make others aware of the many possibilities of women’s boxing in India.

Picture Credit: Prokerala