Sunday witnessed ten thrilling finals of the 2017 Women’s Youth World Championships in the north-east India city of Guwahati, at which Russia, Kazakhstan, USA and South Korea topped the podium along with the hosts India whose boxers dominated the lighter weight categories.
Nitu (48kg), Jyoti Gulia(51 Kg), Sakshi Choudhary (54 kg), Shashi Chopra (57 kg) and Ankushita Boro (64 kg) won gold medals for an Indian sweep. In the finals, which were halted for 45 minutes by a minor fire mishap in the spectator stands.
India earlier had also won two bronze medals. India topped the table in the championship, followed by Russia (2 gold, 4 silver).
Light Flyweight (48kg) -
Indian southpaw Nitu looking to stay in close to her opponent, Kazakhstan’s Zhazira Urakbayeva, but it wasn’t until the second round she could really let her hands go, successfully landing some accurate blows against her technically excellent opponent. Urakbayeva was able to work her way back into contention, but Nitu’s patience paid off, and as the Referee raised her hand, the crowd erupted in celebration of their first gold of the day.
Flyweight (51 Kg) -
India’s Jyoti Singh had only recently moved up to Flyweight (51kg) but took the rest of the field in Guwahati by the storm to earn gold and crown an impressive campaign.
Bantamweight (54kg) -
Sakshi Choudhary proved to be one of the outstanding performers in Guwahati, the Junior World Champion adding the Bantamweight Youth title to her CV in impressive fashion with victory over England’s Ivy-Jane Smith. The two boxers spent much of the first round probing for weaknesses in the other’s defenses, Smith looking well organized and efficient with her jabs, but it was Choudhary who raised the tempo most effectively as the bout wore on, crowning an excellent tournament with a hard-earned gold medal.
Light Welterweight (64kg) -
India’s Ankushita Boro grew up just 200km from Guwahati, and the Assam spirit flowed through her as she recorded a famous world title win. Russia’s Ekaterina Dynnik struggled to assert herself on the tie despite some early pressure, and by the start of the final round, Boro looked relaxed and in control. The 18-year-old Indian used her height advantage and kept her distance, picking off Dynnik as she advanced to secure an emotional gold and send the crowd into raptures.
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