Women’s Youth World Boxing Championship got off to a celebratory start in Guwahati on November 19. Organised by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and Boxing Federation of India, the championship was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Tanha Dil singer Shaan performed the tournament’s official anthem at the Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor stadium.
Nearly 200 players from around 38 countries are taking part in the tournament including a 10-member contingent from India.
India were assured of two medals without fighting a single bout as Neha Yadav (+81kg) and Anupama (81kg) found themselves in the semifinals on the day of draws. Both Neha and Anupama are set to fight pugilists from 2015 champions Russia and traditional powerhouse Kazakhstan while World junior championships silver-medallist Niharika Gonella (75kg) is likely to go up against either England’s Georgia O’Connor or China’s Yu Xiuteng in the quarterfinals.
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India’s Italian coach Raffaele Bergamasco (Photo courtesy: The Indian Express)
Ashtha Pahwa (69 kg) defeated Melis Yonuzova of Bulgaria to enter the quarter-finals while Shashi Chopra made the last-16 stage after winning against Uzbekistan’s Durdonakhon Rakhmatova in a unanimous verdict. Ankushita Boro (64kg), who claimed silver medals at the Balkan Youth International Championship and the prestigious International Ahmet Comert Tournament, will have the unique chance to fight in her home state.
India have managed to better their previous edition’s performance in 2015 which only saw them winning a bronze.
The preliminary rounds are going to take place until November 22. The semi-finals will happen on November 24-25 and finals on November 26.
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