Bhopal: The semi-finals at the 12th Senior Women’s National Boxing Championship presented by Monnet Ispat & Energy Limited witnessed history repeat itself with 2010 Arafura Games gold medallist Pinki Jangra of Haryana drubbing former world champion L Sarita Devi in the fly weight division.
Pinki pulled the rug from under Sarita’s feet, a four-time Asian champion, at the finals of the National Games held earlier this year. But this time around it was a fight to the finish, unlike the 5-0 victory for the Haryana girl in February. There was not much separating the two boxers, who enthralled the audience with their aggressive approach along with a display of grit and determination. Both the girls opened strongly with the scores knotted at 7-7 after the opening two minutes of play. They continued to attack relentlessly and the second round saw Sarita take a crucial one point lead (11:10).
Action continued in a similar vein in the third as well, with both the pugilists notching up nine points each. The final round and the story remained the same with neither Pinki nor Sarita letting up. But this time Pinki managed to win the round with 8 points as opposed to Sarita’s 7. After four rounds of intense action the scored were locked at 34-34. It was a brilliant battle between the two athletes and victory could have easily gone either way, but young Jangra managed to scrape past the former champions on Individual Judge’s score.
“It was a very tough fight and I was able get the decisive point in the final round, anyone could have been the winner, but I am glad that it was me”, expressed an elated Pinki after her bout.
The other semi-final in the fly weight category was a stark contrast. Five times World Champion MC Mary Kom (51kg) displayed her superiority in the craft easing past Dolly Singh of West Bengal. The 19-year-old was no match to the Champions feisty approach. Mary the 2010 Asian Games bronze medallist went on to secure her place in the finals with a massive 28:3 victory. Revenge will be on Mary’s mind when she takes on Pinki in the final of the championship. Pinki on the other hand would be looking to replicate her 2009 success against the World Champion when she locks horns with her on Sunday.
In the light fly weight category, Youth World and National Champion Sarjubala Devi of Manipur, continued her winning spree as she plundered her way to the finals ousting Mamta from Haryana. Sarjubala dominated proceeding from the get go and advanced to the finals with a 25:14 win on points. She will now lock horns with local girl and National Games silver medallist Krishna Thapa who plundered Jahnavi Gogoi in a one-sided affair 34:17.
Neetu Chahal of Haryana caused another upset as she beat 2008 Asian Championship Gold medallist Nagisetty Usha of the Railways in the light weight division. Neetu, a bronze medallist at the 2011 Asian Cup Boxing Tournament, warded off a stiff challenge from the five time national champion to register a 12:9 victory on points. She will now clash with Preeti Beniwal of the IABF team.
