Defying the odds, Indian pugilist Preeti triumphed over 2022 World Championships silver medalist Lacramioara Perijoc on Saturday in a thrilling encounter, while Nitu Ghanghas and Manju Bamboriya also secured emphatic victories at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships being held at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.
The tenacious Preeti (54kg), who won bronze at the 2022 Asian Championships, registered her second win of the ongoing tournament as she conquered the Romanian Perijoc with a 4-3 win on points after the bout was reviewed. The Haryana-born pugilist’s energetic approach helped her get off to a strong start with her strong punches and quick feet, catching her opponent by surprise in the first round. Following a cautious start, Perijoc made an impressive comeback in the second round to make the bout a closely contested affair.
While both pugilists were going toe-to-toe against each other, it was Preeti’s technical ability and conviction that helped her overpower her opponent and edge her out in the final round to secure the victory. The Indian will now face another silver medalist from last year’s World Championships, Jutamas Jitpong of Thailand, in the Round of 16, according to a press release from the Boxing Federation of India (BFI).
In the 48kg category, the 2022 Commonwealth Games champion Nitu Ghanghas comfortably got the better of Kang Do-Yeon of South Korea. The 22-year-old’s attacking prowess proved too strong for the Korean, who did not get a single opportunity to settle down in the bout since the start.
With Nitu’s relentless attack showing no signs of slowing down, the referee stopped the bout in the first round and handed the Indian her first win of the tournament. She will face Sumaiya Qosimova of Tajikistan in the next round.
After Preeti and Nitu’s triumphs, Manju (66kg) also won her bout against Cara Wharerau of New Zealand with a unanimous decision, ensuring a clean sweep for Indian pugilists on the third day of the tournament. The Indian boxer will now take on the top-seeded Navbakhor Khamidova of Uzbekistan in her next bout.