LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — Seasoned Indian boxer Pooja Rani has secured her first-ever World Championships medal, eking out a tough 3-2 victory over Poland’s Emilia Koterska in a women’s 80kg quarterfinal late Wednesday night. With the hard-fought win, the two-time Asian champion has advanced to the semifinals, joining fellow Indian boxers Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) in assuring India of medals at the tournament.
A Scrappy Quarterfinal
Pooja, 34, who received a first-round bye in the non-Olympic 80kg category, relied on her extensive experience to overcome the teenage Koterska. The bout was a scrappy affair, with Pooja starting by throwing punches that didn’t always connect, allowing the young Pole to take the opening round 3-2. However, the Indian veteran, a 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist, upped her game significantly in the middle round. She began to connect with powerful hooks, securing a decisive advantage that she maintained through the final round with her composure and sharp backhands. Pooja will now face local boxer Emily Asquith in the semifinals.
Mixed Fortunes for Indian Squad
While Pooja’s victory marked a high point, India’s men’s campaign suffered another setback. Abhinash Jamwal bowed out in the 65kg quarterfinals with a 1-4 split decision loss to Olympic bronze medallist Lasha Guruli of Georgia. With Jamwal’s exit, only Jadumani Singh (50kg) remains in contention from the men’s side, as he prepares to face reigning world champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay of Kazakhstan in the last-eight stage.
The men’s results are in stark contrast to the team’s performance at the previous edition in Tashkent, where they returned with three bronze medals. Meanwhile, in the last women’s tournament, host India had a historic outing, winning four gold medals.
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