Women's Sub-Junior National Boxing Championship: Bahera, Jatav, Boro and Preeti in Finals

Semi-final action began on Wednesday in the 2nd Sub-junior women’s national boxing championship being held at the JCT College of Engineering in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The second edition of the tournament has been home to some spectacular action as young budding aspirants of women’s boxing in India attempt to take their first step of recognition. Featuring 22 teams from all over the country with almost 150 boxers, the five-day championship has been divided into three categories – girls of age 14 (Group A), 13 (Group B) and 12 (group C). 100 medals would be on stake in 25 weight classes spread over the above mentioned three age groups.

Madhya Pradesh, the runners up at the championship last year, dazzled everyone with their power packed performance in the quarter-finals. The state emerged as a strong contender with 10 of their young pugilists making it to the semi-final stage of the tournament. Delhi and Manipur both had 9 boxers while Punjab was a close third with 8 boxers in the last stage. But for tittle holders Maharashtra, the quarter-final turned out to be a bit of a dampener as they managed only five wins.

Puja Bahera of Jharkhand, riding a purple patch advanced to the finals ousting Preety Chetry of Assam in the 40 kg weight category in the 14 year age group. Puja had little trouble getting past the Assamese boxers with her swift combinations and counter attacks. She defeated Preety on points with a score of 6:2. In the summit clash she will be up against Shweta Kadyan of Delhi.

In the 42 kg weight division of the same age group, Nisha Jatav persisted with her ravishing form beating K Bina Devi of Manipur. Jatav, who bagged the gold medal at the inaugural edition of the championship last year, upstaged Bina 8:4 on points to make a place in the last two. The Madhaya Pradesh Boxers will take now on Pooja of Haryana, who secured her place in the final hammering H C Ramthianghlimi of Mizoram.

The 46 kg final in the 14 year age group will feature Jamuna Boro of Assam against Bharti Kaushik of Delhi. Jamuna, a gold medallist at the 1st sub-junior women’s national championship, beat Inderpal Kaur of Rajasthan, while Bharti defeated Kamla Roka of MP to advance to last stage.

Onto the 36 kg weight category of the 13 year age group, where Ritika of Delhi and Preeti Kumari of Jharkhand secured easy wins in their semi-finals bouts against Komal Kaiakwad of Maharashtra and Usha Rani of Andhra Pradesh respectively.

The 38 kilogram weight class of the same age, witnessed Asha Roka of MP take on Ruby from Delhi. The Delhi girl could not offer any resistance to the superior play of Asha as she succumbed to a 2:6 defeat on points. Asha will now face Jashanpreet of Punjab, in the finals, who outclassed S.Pakapi Devi of Manipur in what was a gripping display of speed and strength.