Youth World Boxing Semifinals: The 2019 Asian Youth Champion Vinka and Alfiya Pathan entered the semifinals of the AIBA Youth Women’s World Boxing Championships in Kielce, Poland.
They are among the four Indian boxers securing comfortable wins in their respective bouts. Gitika and Poonam are the other two boxers to progress to the last four-stage and have secured at least four bronze medals for India.
Panipat boxer Vinka silenced her Colombian opponent Camilo Camela 5-0 in the 60kg category. Living up to the expectations, Nagpur's teenage boxer Alfiya (+81 category) showed superb form and fitness to notch up an easy win against Hungarian boxer Reka Hoffmann.
Playing in the 57kg category, Poonam, who has never lost a bout during her career so far, eliminated Nazerke Serik of Kazakhstan 5-0 win to secure a place in the semifinals. Gitika (48kg) made a stunning performance and won over Romania's Elisabeth Ostan.
"They pushed me, they told me to work hard. And I won because my coaches are very good. My tactic was to attack and then defend. I will win the gold," Poonam thanked her coaches after the bout. She also boasted confidence in returning with the gold medal from the ongoing tournament.
Earlier, India made a perfect start at the championships with Poonam and Vinka advancing to the pre-quarterfinals after notching up comprehensive opening-round wins. Earlier this year, Alfiya ensured a gold medal at the 30th Adriatic Pearl Tournament in Budva, Montenegro. Before that, she won the title at the 2018 Asian Junior Boxing Championship and then she joined the youth age group in January 2020.
Daughter of an auto-rickshaw driver, Vinka won the gold medal in 64kg at the ASBC Youth Asian Men & Women Championship Mongolia, 2019. Soon, she started raking in medals in Junior National Boxing Championship, Khelo India Games, National School Games to name a few.
The Boxing Federation Of India had fielded a 20-member contingent – 10 men and 10 women – for the marquee age group event.
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