New Delhi: World Youth Bronze medalist in 2018, Bhavesh Khittimani packed flurry of punches on his opponent from Manipur, Bhimjit Singh Heikrujam to conclude his bout with a unanimous nod from the judges in the 52 kg. Along with Bhavesh, three more boxers from SSCB advanced to the semi-finals, thereby ensuring a leaders position at the end of day 4 at the 3rd Youth National Boxing Championships in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. While three boxers from Haryana, two from Uttar Pradesh and one each from Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh and Assam reached the last four, it was young Sikkimese boxer, Krishna Kailash Roy, who stole the show in the lightweight category. Kailash defeated his opponent from West Bengal on points as he sailed into the semi-final.
In the girl's category, Haryana continued their dominance on day four, with 4 pugilists qualifying for the semi-finals followed by three boxers from Uttar Pradesh. Manipur's Babyrojisana Chanu continued her sublime run in the tournament, this time getting the better of Uttar Pradesh's Aprajita Mani with a unanimous 5:0 verdict in the fly weight category. Haryana’s Poonam (54kg) proved too strong for her Manipuri opponent Thotyolo who was left flustered with a flurry of punches and the referee had to stop the contest in the final round.
Poonam won the bout 5-0. Following suit was yet another promising boxer, Arshi Khanan of Rajasthan who made no errors to eke out Chandigarh's Akanksha Rana. Khanan looked in rampaging form, ensured the referee intervened to stop the contest in R1. Shobha Kohli (45-48kg) and Sanjay Kumar (52Kg) from Uttrakhand are the lone representation in the knockout stage in girls and boy’s category. While Kumar put up a power packed show to snatch a RSC verdict in R2 against Harshal Phondni from Chandigarh; Kohli dominated over her opponent from West Bengal too to register a unanimous win and secure berth in the last four stages. Mizoram, Assam, Rajasthan, Punjab and Manipur has ensured one boxer each advance to the semi-finals.
- FPJ SPORTS DESK
