New Delhi: The win of featherweight boxer Sonia on her debut set the tone for the hosts at the 10th Aiba Women’s World Boxing Championships here on Saturday.
The Haryana girl demonstrated a defensive approach, but managed to outclass her Moroccan rival Toujani Doaa with a unanimous decision (5:0) to enter the 57kg pre-quarterfinals at the KD Jhadav Hall.
Pinki Rani beat Armenia’s Anush Grigoryan (51kg) 4:1 in the flyweight, while light welter weight pugilist Simranjit Kaur Baatth (64kg) shaded Amelia Moore of USA with the same margin to book the pre-quarters spots to make an all-win day for hosts in second day running.
“I was confident as I picked up rhythm in the second as advised by my coach. I was moving nicely and landing some quick punches. I simply followed the same tactics in the third,” said Pinki.
In the morning session, Sonia showed no signs of nervousness despite being a rookie in her first bout at the Worlds and came in with all cylinders firing in the opening round. Using her right hook to the fullest and accompanying it with occasional left and right, the 21-year-old clinched the crucial points.
The second round was also a close affair with both exchanged a flurry of blows. Sonia landed a left punch right on Doaa’s face. Sonia soon received a jab but she answered back with another one as the Moroccan girl was seen clueless and exhausted.
In the third round both boxers were more cautious and Sonia started maintaining distance. The clenches were going out of control as they fell to floor again and again but Sonia landed a few clean shots on the rival’s face to gather enough points to emerge victorious.
“I began boxing in 2011 (at the school level) and this is my first major international event and I am happy to win this bout. It was a tough fight. My style is basically defensive and I stuck to it,” Sonia said.
