Rohtak’s Lalita best boxer in Serbian youth boxing

New Delhi, July 16

The Indian boxers ruled the ring at the 36th Golden Glove of Vojvodina youth tournament, ending with seven gold medals to claim the overall top spot in the event in Subotica, Serbia.

Four men and three women finished with gold medals at the tournament, which featured 17 countries. India claimed the numero uno position with 17 medals, including six silver and four bronze medals. Russia fetched 11 medals (three gold, two silver and six bronze) but ended up third behind Kazakhstan, who had a better gold-medal count (5) in their overall count of seven medals. 

The gold medal winners for India were Aman (+91kg), Akash Kumar (56kg), S Barun Singh (49kg), Vijaydeep (69kg), Nitu (48kg), Divya Pawar (54kg), and Lalita (69kg). Aman, who got a direct entry into the final owing to the presence of just two boxers in his draw, defeated Hungarian Laszlo Felfoldi 5-0.

Barun fetched a 4-1 triumph over crowd favourite Rade Joksimovic. Akash had to toil harder for his 3-2 win over Argentine Jeheil Mirco Cuello. Vijaydeep too endured a tough contest before prevailing over  Kazakhstan’s Azat Assanov (3-2).

Chandigarh girl Nitu sailed over Scotland’s Billie Denholm 5-0. Divya also clinched a 5-0 triumph over Serbian Dajana Grumusa. 

Haryana boxers dominate

Rohtak girl Lalita won 4-1 against Russia’s Angelina Kabakova. She was adjudged the best woman boxer  of the tournament. Those who ended with silver medals included reigning youth world champion Jyoti Gulia (51kg), who was outwitted by Italian Martina Pianna 2-3. 

Sonepat girl Manisha (64kg) also went down by a similar margin to Russia’s Lanna Maliuganova. She was adjudged the best losing boxer of the tournament. Neha Yadav (+81kg), a direct entrant into the final, was beaten 0-5 by Kazakhstan’s Dina Islambekova.

In the men’s competition, Ankit lost 1-4 to Scotland’s Reese Lynch, while Akash (64kg) went down 2-3 to Thailand’s Bannaphon Pannon.

Nitin Kumar (75kg) also lost a close bout against Thailand’s Weerapon Jongjoho. Settling for bronze medals were Sakshi (51kg), Sakshi Gaidhani (81kg), Bhavesh Kittamani (52kg) and Anamika (51kg). — PTI