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Boxing

I am happy to compete at home after 12 years: Sarita Devi

I am happy to compete at home after 12 years: Sarita Devi
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Press Release

Published: 15 Nov 2018 3:44 PM GMT

Veteran Sarita Devi, a multiple medal winner, who made her World Championships debut in Scranton in 2001, was too happy to be taking to the rings at home after 12 years. When she competed last time at New Delhi in 2006, she won a gold medal and later followed it up with a bronze in 2008 at Ningbo City in China.

But the 36-year-old Manipuri pugilist, who takes on Diana Sandra Brugger of Switzerland in lightweight (60 kg) category, was as enthusiastic as she would have been during the first Worlds. Diana, in her first-round bout, defeated Hasanah Huswatun from Indonesia 5:0, has been competing in world championships since 2008 but can’t match the guile and experience of the Manipuri. She was selected into the squad after her performance in the Indian Open and Silesian women’s event in Poland.

“I am happy to be back and competing at home after 12 years. I will definitely make the best use of it and win a medal for the country,”said the Manipuri.

Young and confident Manisha makes her debut

Twenty-one year old Manisha Moun, who is making her debut in the ongoing AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships at the KD Jhadav Hall here, was confident of a positive start against the 36-year-old Christina Cruz of the US in the preliminary round of 54 kg class.

The Haryana boxer, who won a silver medal after defeating former European champion Viktoria Kuleshova in the semifinals of Silesian Championships in Poland in September, said she was ready for the D-Day. “The exposure I got in Poland was great. I have prepared well and, with the home crowd support, would hope to do well,” said.

But she did admit that the worlds would be a different kettle of fish and she has gathered information on rival boxers from her teammates, especially from veterans Mary Kom and Sarita Devi, who have given vital tips to handle tough situations during the bout.

But the New York pugilist is a wily boxer and has to her credit several international honours, including being the continental champion, also the twice bronze medal winner at the 2012 and 2016 world championships.

But Manisha, who is tactically good with a solid defence, hopes the tips she got from the seniors will come in handy against the American. However, Christina will use her experience against the Indian.

Also Read: India's rich culture on display in opening ceremony

On the first day of the championships, the preliminary rounds began in three categories—Fly (51), Feather (57) and Light (60)—with favourites winning their bouts rather easily. However, the bout between Staridsman Anja of Australia and Cordero Hernanadez of Columbia in lightweight category turned out to be the best, fetching a split verdict (3:2) in favour of the Aussie.

In the first round, the CWG gold winner Aussie got 10 points each from three judges while in the second she just about managed from two of the five judges. However, what made the difference was the third round when she unleashed a combination punches and a couple of straights which helped the 31-year-old claim to progress to the second round as she got full points from four judges.

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