Youth World Championships: Five boxers storm into quarterfinals

Five Indian athletes are one win away from securing medals for their country.

Extending a splendid run, Indian boxers put up a phenomenal performance on yet another glorious day at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships. Five Indian pugilists made their way into the quarter-finals on the fifth day of the competition in Kielce, Poland.

Asian Junior Champion Biswamitra Chongtham led the Indian pugilists’ onslaught in the men’s section as he outclassed Khosroshahi Parvizi 5-0 to enter the 49kg quarter-finals. Manipuri boxer Biswamitra, who was impressive in the trials where he defeated Khelo India gold medallist, looked in complete control against the Irish athlete as he carried on with the momentum before finishing the bout in his favour. 

Besides Biswamitra, Ankit Narwal also secured a place in the last-8 alongside Uttar Pradesh boxer Vishal Gupta (91kg) and Sachin (56kg), who hails from Bhiwani, Haryana. Asian Youth silver medallist Haryana’s Ankit defeated Polish boxer Olivier Zamojski with a 4-1 split decision in the men's 64kg category. Vishal and Sachin comfortably registered identical 5-0 victories against Croatia’s Borna Loncaric and Jose Valdez of Colombia respectively.

Meanwhile, in the women’s section, Gitika (48kg), who came into the match beating European Champion Diana Ermakova, continued her impressive form at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships. She notched up a flawless 5-0 triumph against Kazakhstani boxer Arailym Marat to progress into the last-8 stage. However, Nisha Gurjar (64kg) was the lone Indian who couldn’t progress on Day 5 as she suffered a 1-4 loss against Latvia’s Beatrise Rozentale in the pre-quarters.

The sixth day of the prestigious event, where India has fielded a strong 20-member team, will witness nine Indians in action. Appearing in the quarter-finals, five women--Poonam (57kg), Alfiya Pathan (+81kg), Khushi (81kg), Gitika (48kg) and Vinka (60kg)--will look to make their way into the semi-finals and assure medals. While Akash Gorkha (60kg), Manish (75kg), Sumit (69kg), Vinit (81kg) will be seen playing in the men’s pre-quarterfinals stage.

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