Rani, Boro, Borgohain storm into World Championships semi-finals

On a day when Indian veteran Mary Kom scripted history, the likes of Manju Rani, Jamuna Boro and Lovlina Borgohain added to India’s tally by making it to the medal rounds of the ongoing 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude, Russia.

Medal assured for Rani

Manju Rani, in her light flyweight (48kg) contest, prevailed through a split decision (4-1) verdict in what was an extremely entertaining bout against the top-seed and last edition’s bronze-medalist Kim Hyang Mi of South Korea.

Just like her previous encounter against Venezuela's Rojas Tayonis Cedeno, Rani's energetic approach received reward, with three of the four judges scoring it 29-28 in the Indian’s favour.

She will take on Thailand's Chuthamat Raksat in the semi-final on October 12.

Medals galore

Jamuna Boro, in the bantamweight (54kg) quarter-finals, negotiated a way past Germany's Ursula Gottlob.

The 22-year-old Indian used her towering frame to perfection, emerging victorious through a split decision (4-1) verdict.

.The youngster will square off against top seed and former Asian Games bronze-medallist Huang Hsiao-Wen (Chinese Taipei) on the same day as Rani’s bout.

Perfect finish

Up in the welterweight (69kg) quarters, Lovlina Borgohain, the last Indian in the fray, ended the day with an impressive win over the 2019 European Games gold medalist Karolina Koszewska.

The third-seeded Indian held the edge over her Polish opponent, advancing into the semi-finals through a split decision (4-1).

Chahal bows out

Kavita Chahal, however, faced disappointment in her heavyweight (+81kg) quarter-final bout, bowing out of the competition through a split decision (1-4) verdict at the hands of Belarus’ Katsiaryna Kavaleva.

Chahal, a two-time World Boxing Championships bronze medallist, put up a decent fight but Kavaleva was deemed the superior boxer. The Belarusian found favour with four judges, with three of them scoring 29-28 and one 30-27.