The Hindu : Sport : Three Indians in last four

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Thursday, Sep 25, 2008
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Sport

Sport

Three Indians in last four

S. Sabanakayan

— PHOTO: RITU RAJ KONWAR

BEST ON SHOW: Sarita Devi of India (right) was India’s best boxer on Wednesday. Here she is seen in action against Le Thi Ngan Hang of Vietnam.

GUWAHATI: Three Indians, light-fly Kalpana Chowdhury, light-bantam L. Sarita Devi and featherweight Nagisetty Usha, made it to the semifinals of their respective weight classes in contrasting styles on the second day of the fourth Asian women’s boxing championship at the Sarusajai Sports Complex here on Wednesday.

Better show

After the opening day’s disappointment in which both its pugilists lost, India put up a much better show to ensure a medal each in these weight groups. In boxing two bronze medals are offered to the losing semifinalists.

Kalpana, a local girl who enjoyed spectator support, went into an early 2-0 lead against her Kazakh rival Nargul Boranbayeva with two lightning straight rights to the face. She then strategically retreated into defensive mode forcing her opponent to attack.

The Indian waited for her moment and unleashed an accurate right to lead 4-0 in the first round and 6-0 in the second. The third round found both clinching, pushing and shoving without much success.

Kalpana will now run into defending champion Ri Jong Hyang of North Korea.

L. Sarita Devi was the best Indian boxer on view. Sarita, who won the 54kg gold at the last Asian meet, was shifted to the 52kg class to help India do well in this weight group.

One-sided contest

She showed her prowess in ample measure in out-pointing Le Thi Ngan Hang of Vietnam in a one-sided contest. Sarita led 6-0 in the first round and forced her rival to take a standing count. She again came up with a flurry of rights and lefts to rock Le repeatedly.

The referee gave the Vietnamese two more standing counts before stopping the contest. Sarita was 12-0 ahead at that time. The Indian will now face Tesrendorj Eserenchimeg of Mongolia.

The results (all quarterfinals): Light-fly 48 kg: Chandrika Guruge (Sri) lost to Lin Wan Ting (Tpe) 3-7; Un Mou Kuan (Mcu) lost to Ngo Thi Phuong (Vie) RSC (O)

2nd round; Kalpana Chowdhury (Ind) bt Nargul Boranbayeva (Kaz) 6-0; Agmardul Nandintsetteg (Mgl) lost to Ri Jong Hyang (PRK) 4-8.