Three Indian boxers advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the Women’s World Championships here on Saturday with contrasting victories, continuing their impressive home form.
Gold medalist from the Commonwealth Games Nitu Ganghas (48 kg) started her campaign with a victory against Korean Doyeon Kang in a referee-stopped match, while Preeti (54 kg) narrowly defeated Lacramioara Perijoc of Romania by a 4-3 split decision.
Cara Wharerau of New Zealand was beaten by Manju Bamboriya (66 kg) by a score of 5-0 in an open vote. The fight was fully won by the Indian.
Nitu, who fell short in the previous iteration’s quarterfinals, got off to the greatest possible start by winning the match in the first round.
Kang received the initial standing count. With Nitu continuing her onslaught, the Korean got her second standing count 20 seconds later with referee Luca Vadilonga of Italy ruling in the Indian’s favour.
Preeti had to put in a lot of effort to get her second victory of the competition after winning her first match by an RSC decision.
“I had worked hard to prepare for this match; she had previously won a silver medal. “I want to show myself that I’m not inferior to anyone,” Preeti said.
“I altered my approach in the most recent round. She was becoming unsteady.
Preeti resorted to counterattacks in the final three minutes. The fight entered a review after the round ended in a tie. The Indian was awarded the victory by the evaluator and observer.
