Haryana dominate inaugural Junior Women’s Boxing Nationals

Rohtak, Nov 11: Haryana dominated the inaugural edition of the Junior Women's National Boxing Championship with a rich haul of seven gold, two silvers and one bronze at the SAI National Boxing Academy here.

Punjab's pugilists also put up an impressive show, grabbing three gold and one bronze medal in the tournament that culminated on Friday.

Haryana's gold rush started in the 48-kg category as Sangeeta outclassed Jharkhand's Neha Tentulia. It continued with Meenakshi (50-kg) registering an emphatic win against Rajasthan's Arshi Khanum and Poonam (52-kg) defeating Manipur's N. Baby Rosizana Chanu. 

Sanathoi Heman, another boxer from Manipur, had to settle for a silver as Yogita (54-kg) defeated her in a one-sided affair.

The fifth gold came Haryana's way in the 63-kg category when Vinka defeated Geeta Saji from Kerala.

Raj Sahiba (70-kg) and Sushma (80-kg) completed Haryana's seven gold tally as they defeated Manipur's Sanama Chanu and Chandana Chaudhary from Rajasthan, respectively.

In between, Priyanka (57-kg) lost to Uttar Pradesh's Priya and settled for a silver. Yashi Shamma notched up a bronze when she lost in the semi-finals to complete the 10-medal tally.

Punjab's gold rush started with the 46-kg category as Ekta Saroj outclassed Assam's lone standee, Niki Kujur, in the summit clash of the tournament to clinch a gold. 

In the 75-kg category, Diksha Rajput got the better of Daloma Binju to bring home the second gold for her state.

The third and final gold for Punjab came through Kamal Preet Kaur in the +80-kg category as she triumphed over Madhya Pradesh's Arpita Shukla. However, Komal, who had lost in the semi-finals took a bronze home.