L. Sarita Devi loses a close-fought pre-quarterfinal to Kellie Harrington
M.C. Mary Kom’s class and experience held her in good stead in her opening bout against Algerim Kassanayeva as she began her quest for a sixth World title in right earnest here on Sunday.

Mary’s 5-0 victory over the Kazakh took centrestage even as three other Indians — Manisha Moun (54kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) and Bhagyabati Kachari (81kg) — recorded wins to reach the quarterfinals of the World women’s boxing championships at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex.

L. Sarita Devi (60kg) fought bravely before losing her closely-fought pre-quarterfinal bout to 2016 Worlds silver medallist (64kg) Kellie Harrington 3-2.

In front of an ecstatic home crowd, Mary, who had a first round bye, took some time to assess her rival. The 35-year-old eluded her opponent’s grasp, thanks to her quick feet and reflexes. She then latched on to opportunities to deliver a right-left combination and a stunning straight in the second round.

Even as the Kazakh tried holding tactics, Mary remained calm to secure a place in the last eight (48kg).

“There was pressure of expectations but I was energised by the fans’ support,” said Mary, who will take on Chinese Yu Wu. Yu tamed Philippines’ Josie Gabuco 5-0.

Manisha stunned World champion Dina Zholaman for the second time in two months. Having faced the Kazakh in the Silesian championships in Poland, the 20-year-old used her long reach and excellent footwork to prevail.

When Dina tried to up the ante, Manisha’s evasive techniques and counter-attacks worked to fetch her a 5-0 win.

Manisha will meet Worlds silver medallist and top seed Bulgarian Stoyka Petrova, who beat Uzbek Tursunov Rakhimova 4-1.

An Asian championships bronze medallist, Lovlina beat 2014 World champion Atheyna Bylon 5-0.

Employing her back and forth movement, Lovlina not only landed punches on target but also saved herself from the wild blows of the Panamanian, who tried to ruffle the youngster. “My fitness helped me in such a duel,” said Lovlina, who would clash with Aussie Kaye Scott. Kaye went past Kazakh Akerke Bakhytzhan 5-0.

National champion Bhagyabati Kachari banked on her quick combinations to make up for her lack of foot movement as she defeated German boxer Irina-Nicoletta Schonberger 4-1 in first round. Bhagyabati’s faces Columbian Jessica Sinisterra, a 5-0 winner over Anastasiia Chernokolenko.

Other important results (preliminary rounds): 48kg: Steluta Duta (Rou) bt Jargalan Ochirbat (Mgl) 3-2, Hanna Okhota (Ukr) bt Roberta Bonatti (Ita) 5-0, Chorong Bak (Kor) bt Gulasal Sultonalieva (Uzb) 5-0, Hyang Mi Kim (Prk) bt Meng- Chieh Pin (Tpe) 3-2,

54kg: Jucielen Romeu (Bra) bt Viktoriia Kuleshova (Rus) 3-2, Peamwilai Laopeam (Tha) bt Aira Villegas (Phi) 3-2, Kristy Harris (Aus) bt Julianna Rodriguez (Crc) 3-2, Yu-Ting Lin (Tpe) bt Ivanna Krupenia (Ukr) 5-0, Zohra Ez Zahraoui (Mar) bt Yuliya Apanasovich (Blr) 5-0, Nandintsetseg Myagmardulam (Mgl) bt Zeljana Pitesa (Cro) RSC-R2.

60kg: Mira Potkonen (Fin) bt Ala Yarshevich (Blr) 5-0, Yeonji Oh (Kor) bt Paige Murney (Eng) 5-0, Agnes Alexiusson (Swe) bt Hasnaa Lachgar (Mar) 3-2.

69kg: Nien-Chin Chen (Tpe) bt Elina Gustafsson (Fin) 5-0, Mriyam Da Silva Rondeau (Can) bt Shakhnoza Yunusova (Uzb) 5-0.

81kg: Elf Guneri (Tur) bt Caitlini Torrington (Aus) 5-0, Lina Wang (Chn) bt Marija Curran (Can) 5-0.

+81kg: Lazzat Kungeibayeva (Kaz) bt Tetiana Shevchenko (Ukr) 5-0, Guzal Ismatova (Uzb) bt Adrienn Juhasz (Hun) RSC-R2.

Courtesy By :- The Hindu