Reigning national champion Minakshi stayed on course to defend her title with an upset win over world champion Nitu Ghanghas in the 48kg category for the first major upset at the eighth Elite Women’s National Boxing Championships here on Monday.
Minakshi, representing All India Police, beat the Commonwealth Games champion Nitu 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the competition even as the other top contenders registered expected wins in their respective bouts across weight categories. Minakshi will next take on Delhi’s Sanjana in the semifinals in her quest for a second successive National title.
The 2016 World Championships silver medallist Sonia Lather was pushed till the very end by Chandigarh’s Monika but the former brought in all her experience to prevail with a 4-3 split decision in a close contest in the 60kg and enter the semifinals. She will now take on Maharashtra’s Poonam Kaithwas for a spot in the final after the latter registered a dominating round one referee stopped contest (RSC) victory against G. S. Mamatha of Karnataka.
Veteran Pooja Rani, meanwhile, beat Komal in the 80kg to stay on course for a title clash with National Games silver medallist Pranshu Rathore while Sanamacha Chanu beat A.A. Saanchi Bollamma in the 70kg and Services’ Sakshi stormed ahead with a first-round RSC win over Ladakh’s Kulsoom.
Published – March 24, 2025 08:39 pm IST