Nagpur’s Alfia defeated 2016 world champion and title contender Lajjat Kungebayeva 5-0 in the women’s +81kg final without losing a sweat, while Geetika recorded a thrilling 4-1 all-India victory over Deshbandhav Kalaivani. Women’s 48 kg final
It was also the first senior international competition for both Alfia and Geetika.
Alfia proved to be too strong for the defending Asian champion Kungebayeva as she completely dominated the match which eventually ended in a one-sided affair with a unanimous decision in Alfia’s favor. The veteran Kazakh boxer looked ignorant against the young Indian, who displayed remarkable skill.
Excited after winning the gold medal, Alfia said, “It’s a wonderful feeling to win a gold medal, especially against a medalist in a world championship.”
Geetika, a resident of Rohtak, on the other hand, won the country’s first gold by winning an intense all-India final against Kalaivani, in which both the boxers started with aggressive intent and kept attacking each other.
As they continued to exchange strong punches, Geetika moved gears smoothly as the fight escalated and eventually performed well enough to turn the result in her favor.
After her victory, Geetika said, “It was great to win a gold medal in the first senior international competition. This is just the beginning. I want to win more medals at the senior level in international competitions.
Meanwhile, Jamuna, the bronze medalist of the 2019 World Championships, gave her all against Nigina Uktamova of Uzbekistan but lost 0-5 in the final of the 54kg weight class.
Alfia and Geetika received a prize money of USD 700 for their gold medal winning feats, while the silver and bronze medalists were awarded USD 400 and USD 200, respectively.
With two gold and several silver medals added on the final day, the Indian team finished its campaign with 14 medals, including 10 bronze, in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
The Indian women boxers won two gold, two silver and six bronze medals in the event, which featured top boxers from India, Uzbekistan, host Kazakhstan, Cuba, China and Mongolia.
In the women’s category, Jyoti Gulia (52 kg), Sakshi (54 kg), Sonia Lather (57 kg), Neema (63 kg), Lalita (70 kg) and Babita Bisht (81 kg) were the six bronze medalists.
Among men, Kuldeep Kumar (48 kg), Anant Chopra (54 kg), Sachin (57 kg) and Jugnu (92 kg) won bronze medals. In the women’s division, a 33-member Indian team with two teams participated in the tournament.
Complete list of medal winners:
Women:
(Gold) Geetika (48 kg) and Alfia Pathan (+81 kg); (Silver) Kalaivani Srinivasan (48 kg) and Jamuna Boro (54 kg); (Bronze) Jyoti Gulia (52 kg), Sakshi (54 kg), Sonia Lather (57 kg), Neema (63 kg), Lalita (70 kg) and Babita Bisht (81 kg).
Men:
(Bronze) Kuldeep Kumar (48 kg), Anant Chopra (54 kg), Sachin (57 kg) and Jugnu (92 kg).
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