Spice Jet India Open: India Bags 7 Gold Medal wins

On Thursday, the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi witnessed the outstanding performance of Indian boxers who brought home a bountiful of gold medals in the SpiceJet India Open International Boxing Tournament. The Indian Boxers who lit the show were the matchless Mary Kom, Sanjeet, Manish Kaushik, Pwilao Basumatar, Lovlina Borgohain, Pinki Rani, and Manisha. Five-time world champion Mary Kom got the loudest cheers as she overcame pain and beat her determined opponent, Josie Gabuco of the Philippines with a score of 4-1 in in the light-fly final. She began on a cautious note, ensuring that she had enough power and punch left for the final rounds. She showed her swiftness and experience as she beat Josie Gabuco. India had as many as nine boxers in the 10-final afternoon card, with two of them competing for the gold in the bantamweight category. Assam would be particularly proud of their ladies, with Pwilao and Lovlina emerging as the next generation of golden girls. Pwilao got the better of Sudapon Seesondee (Thailand) 3-2 in the light-welter category while Lovlina had it easier against Pooja in the Welter. However, The country suffered an unexpected setback when the former world champion, Sarita Devi lost to Finland's Marjut Mira Potkonan by a split decision in the lightweight category. The gold march in the men's heavyweight category began with Sanjeet when he managed a split decision verdict over fancied Sanjar Tursunov of Uzbekistan. India's second disappointment came in the middleweight division where Cameroon's lanky and wiry Essiane Clotilde easily beat Saweety Boora. She brooked no opposition and scripted short route victories, both, in the semi-final and the final to take the gold. Uzbekistan and Cuba underlined their class and domination in the middle and heavy categories, helping themselves to four gold medals. Uzbekistan's Bobo-Usmon Baturov was the most effective boxer, notching a convincing victory over India's Dinesh in the welterweight category. Cuba who lost their opening bout of the morning to Uzbekistan's Israel Madrimov, continued their impressive run in the tournament with Iglesias Estrada squeezing out a 3-2 verdict in the in the middleweight final.