Pinki Rani (51kg), a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and Sakshi (57kg), the reigning youth world champion, ensured that India won at least two more medals at the Cologne Boxing World Cup by entering into the semi finals on Thursday.
India Open gold medallist Pinki Rani continued her impeccable form to again put up a dominating stand and blank Phunsang Cahiranchaya of Thailand 5-0 in the quarter-final bout.
The 18-year-old Sakshi, on the other hand, had to suffer some faced some stiff resistance at the hands of Denmark’s Cecille Kelle. The Indian digged deep to counter the Dane’s late surge. She won the contest by a split decision on points.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Pinki Rani (51kg) and reigning youth world champion Sakshi (57kg) assured India of its third and fourth medal by entering the semi-finals of the ongoing Cologne Boxing World Cup 2019 in Cologne. pic.twitter.com/fyeVFvbEQJ
— SportsAction (@SportsActionLiv) April 11, 2019
The two crucial victories added further glitter to Indian contingent’s performance in the Germany, having already confirmed at least one silver and another bronze through Meena Kumari Maisnam (54kg) and Pwilao Basumatary (64kg) respectively.
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As there were only three boxers in the contest in the 54 kg category, Maisnam, a Strandja Memorial gold medallist, was directly progressed to the finals.
Similarly, as the 64 kg category has only five pugilists, Strandja Memorial bronze medallist Basumatary is already through to the semi-finals.
Earlier, India’s promising pugilist Anjali Tushir ended her campaign in disappointment after enduring a 0-5 loss at the hands of Denmark’s Yvonne Baek Rasmussen in the 69kg category’s opening round.
Having enjoyed a healthy haul of six medals at the erstwhile Chemistry Cup at Halle last year, India had sent a 7-member strong team to the prestigious European event.
The last edition saw only two Indians, Mohammed Hussamuddin (56kg) and Gaurav Solanki (52kg) win medals. However, better things can be expected this time.
As many as 21 nations have taken part at this tournament across 17 weight categories. The competition helps the elite boxers to hone their skills in the run into the World Championships that will happen later this year.
