Deepak and Poonam shine as India endure tough start at Boxing World Cup

Deepak and Poonam were the only Indian boxers to progress on the opening day of the Boxing World Cup Stage 2 in China, registering dominant victories in their respective categories. Seven other Indian boxers suffered defeats, including quarterfinal losses for Naina and Alfiya

Hyderabad: Deepak and Poonam emerged as the only Indian winners on the opening day of the Boxing World Cup (Stage 2) in China, advancing to the next round of their respective categories while seven other Indian boxers suffered defeats.

Competing in the women’s 54kg category, Poonam registered a convincing 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan’s Aziza Yokubova in the preliminary round of 32 to move ahead in the competition.

---

Deepak joined her in the next round after producing an equally dominant display in the men’s 70kg division, defeating Turkmenistan’s Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov by a unanimous 5-0 verdict in the preliminary round of 32.

The remaining Indian boxers, however, could not progress further.

In the preliminary round of 16, Rishi Singh (50kg) lost to Azerbaijan’s Subhan Mamedov, while Sanamacha Chanu Thokchom (75kg) went down to Canada’s Tammara Thibeault. Sawan Gill also bowed out after suffering a defeat to Norway’s Omar Shiha in the men’s 90kg category.

In other preliminary contests, Anmol (60kg) was narrowly beaten 2-3 by Salim Ellis Bey (USA). Meanwhile, Harsh Choudhary (90kg) had his bout stopped prematurely, losing to Sweden’s Elwin Belezika via Referee Stops Contest due to Injury [RSC (I)] in the third round.

India also endured disappointment in the quarterfinals as Naina lost to China’s Xiaomeng Wang in the women’s 80kg category, while Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan was defeated by Poland’s Elzbieta Wojcik in the women’s 90+kg division.

Deepak and Poonam will now look to continue India’s challenge in the tournament as the competition progresses.