Veteran pugilist leads pack of 9 Indians into quarterfinals even as ‘unlucky’ Sarita bows out in debatable split verdict
There was sizeable crowd gathered at the KD Jadhav Stadium here on Sunday to witness two of India's most celebrated boxers, MC Mary Kom and Sarita Devi.
Both Manipuri ladies, now in their mid-thirties, didn't disappoint the crowd even though the results were in complete contrast.
For the five-time world champion and 2018 Commonwealth gold medallist, Mary Kom, it was an easy outing against Aigerim Kassenayeva of Kazakhstan as all the five judges ruled in her favour to ensure that she eases into the last eight of the light flyweight 48kg category.
However, Sarita was not so fortunate despite giving here all to lose a split decision 2-3 to Kellie Anne Harrington of Ireland in the lightweight 60kg category.
The 28-year-old Irish woman shattered India's dreams of making it a Perfect 10 in the tournament so far, with Manisha Moun, Lovlina Borgohain and Bhagyabati Kachari joining Mary Kom in the quarterfinals.
Kellie, a European medal winner, clinched the bout against Sarita with some decisive blows.
The 36-year-old Indian, making a comeback at the world championships after a gap of 12 long years, did had an advantage in the first two rounds but three out of five judges counted 29-28 in the favour of the Irish boxer.
"I thought I was a bit unlucky. Some points did not go my way. But I will continue to box as long as I can," a dejected Sarita said.
Mary Kom, on the other hand, got off to a positive start, landing a few quick punches and jabs against her Kazakh opponent.
The Member of the Parliament in the Rajya Sabha continued with her attacking game in the second, landing powerful punches to gather crucial points. It was only in the third round that Aigerim showed some fightback but it was too late by then. Mary Kom will take on Wu Yu of China in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Manisha stuns world champion again
Apart from the two veterans, the day belonged to 21-year-old Haryana boxer Manisha Maun.
Having been pitted against reining world champion Dina Zholaman of Kazakhstan, Manisha didn't show any butterflies in her stomach as she stunned her much experienced rival in a one-sided verdict.
All the five judges gave Manisha a unanimous 5-0 decision as the Indian made it to the quarterfinals of the Bantam 54kg category.
This is Manisha's second successive victory over the Kazakh after the Indian had beaten her in Poland recently.
Manisha relied on her feet movement and evasive action to keep Dina at bay. Her combination of left-right clearly upset the Kazakh's strategy in the opening round. Though Dina came back strongly in the second, Manisha's speed to evade blows were at her best.
"I had beaten her once before (in Poland) and I focused on speed and concentrated on target areas. I did well in the first two but in the third it was even," Manisha said after the bout.
In the other bouts on Sunday, Assam's Lovlina Borgohain defeated Panama's Atheyna Bylon by a unanimous 5-0 decision to progress to the quarters of the 69kg welterweight category. Bhagyabati Kachari, on the other hand, defeated Germany's Irina-Nicoletta Schonberger by a 4-1 split decision in the 81kg light heavyweight category.
Sarita Devi reacts after her loss
NOT HAPPY WITH DECISION: SARITA
A dejected Sarita Devi was unhappy with the judges’ verdict in her loss on Sunday but didn’t protest fearing another ban. “I am not happy with the decision (of the judges). The decision has gone opposite, I thought I had the upper hand in all the three rounds,” said Sarita after losing in a split 3-2 verdict. “But what do I do, I was banned for one year after the 2014 Asian Games controversy. So, I cannot say anything now. I don’t know why these things happen to me only,” she added.
Results (Indians only)
- 5:0 Mary Kom bt Aigerim Kassenayeva (KAZ) in 48kg
- 5:0 Manisha Maun bt Dina Zholaman (KAZ) in 54kg
- 5:0 Lovlina Borgohain bt Atheyna Bylon (PAN) in 69kg
- 4:1 Bhagyabati Kachari bt IN Schonberger (GER) in 81kg
- 2:3 Sarita Devi lost to Kellie Anne Harrington (IRE) in 60kg
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