jaismine: Lovlina, Jaismine and Hussamuddin confirm medals at National Games

Olympic bronze-winner Lovlina Borgohain and Commonwealth Games medalists Mohammed Hussamuddin and Jasmine Lamboria ensured a medal each in the boxing event of the National Games after registering quarter-final victories here on Sunday. Even as fictitious names progressed, Gujarat’s Asifali Asgarli Syed and Ruchita Rajput lined up for the podium finish, leaving the home crowd with plenty to cheer about. The referee stopped Ruchita’s match against Maharashtra’s Sanika Sasane, who fractured her ankle in the opening round.

Syed put the vigorous home crowd on their feet with a split decision win 4-1 against Jharkhand’s Jadov Devgam in the men’s 57kg category.

He will take on world youth champion Sachin Siwach (Haryana), who defeated Chhattisgarh’s S Sahil in the quarter-finals covered in blood. Both Sachin and Sahil suffered cuts on their foreheads, forcing the referee to end the competition and award the award in favor of the Haryana boxer.

World Championship and multiple Asian medalist Shiv Thapa (Assam) enjoyed a fruitful day at the office, registering a 5-0 win over Punjab’s Vikas.

In the women’s 60kg category, World Championship medalist Simranjit Kaur (Punjab) made it to the last four with a comfortable 5-0 win over Kroshmangaihsangi of Mizoram. Simranjit will face Assam’s Pavilao Basumtari, who registered a resounding win over little-known Dimple Upadhyay of Himachal Pradesh.

Assam’s Lovlina liked to spend some time in the ring before registering a 5-0 unanimous victory in the women’s 75kg bout against KA Indraja (Kerala).

The difference in class was evident even when Lovlina made full use of the opportunity to free her arms and eventually clashed with domestic boxer Ruchita Rajput.

World Championships medalist Sweety Bura defeated Delhi’s Shalakha Singh 5-0 along with Himachal Pradesh’s Sritima Thakur in the other 75kg semi-finals.

In 60kg category Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Jasmine performed against Lucky Rana of Uttarakhand.

The long Haryana boxer’s wide range of punches left Lucky in a tizzy and left him looking for cover after what ended in a 5-0 unanimous decision in favor of the 21-year-old Asian Championships medalist.

Jasmine will next face Manipur’s Pravesh Kontoujam, who defeated Maharashtra’s Poonam Kaithvas 3-2.

Originally published at Pen 18