New Delhi: World medallists Shiva Thapa (60kg) L Sarita Devi (60kg) and MC Mary Kom notched up hard-fought wins to enter the semifinals of the USD 100,000 India Open here Tuesday, to continue Indian’s fine run at the India Open boxing tournament.
Seeded 12th, five-time world and Asian champion Mary Kom had no trouble in overwhelming compatriot K Bina Devi 5-0.
World bronze-medallist and also a three-time Asian championships medallist Thapa was up against Uzbek Sherbek Rakhmatulloev and the Assam boxer came back from behind in the third round to get the judge’s nod in a split decision. Thapa will face compatriot Manish Kaushik, who out-punched Filipino Charly Suarez in his quarterfinal bout.
Asian bronze-medallist Amit Panghal (49kg), meanwhile, claimed a dominating win over Cameroon’s Simplice Fotsala to set up a clash with fellow Indian Lalbiakkima Nutlai, who got the better of Kenya’s Shaffi Hassan in the next round.
In the women’s draw was former world and Asian champion, Sarita Devi dug enough from her huge reservoir of experience to edge past Thailand’s Peamwilai Laopeam in a split decision to set up a clash with compatriot Priyanka Chaudhary who defeated Indonesian Huswatun Hasanboy.
Former World Championship silver-medallist Saweety Boora (75kg) had little trouble in dispatching Nepal’s Saraswati Rana while world youth champion Shashi Chopra made an impressive entry into the senior circuit by out-punching compatriot Y Sandhyarani.
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