Deepak and Poonam were the only Indian boxers to secure victories on the first day of the Boxing World Cup (Stage 2) in China. Poonam triumphed over Aziza Yokubova from Uzbekistan in the women’s 54kg category with a resounding 5-0 win, while Deepak dominated his match in the men’s 70kg division, defeating Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov from Turkmenistan with a unanimous 5-0 decision.
Unfortunately, the other Indian boxers did not fare as well. Rishi Singh (50kg) lost to Subhan Mamedov from Azerbaijan, Sanamacha Chanu Thokchom (75kg) was defeated by Tammara Thibeault from Canada, and Sawan Gill faced a loss against Omar Shiha from Norway in the men’s 90kg category.
In additional matches, Anmol (60kg) narrowly lost 2-3 to Salim Ellis Bey from the USA, and Harsh Choudhary (90kg) had his bout stopped prematurely due to injury, resulting in a loss to Elwin Belezika from Sweden.
India faced further setbacks in the quarterfinals with Naina losing to Xiaomeng Wang from China in the women’s 80kg category, and Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan being defeated by Elzbieta Wojcik from Poland in the women’s 90+kg division. Deepak and Poonam will now carry India’s hopes forward in the competition.
