Four girls in final; four more finish with bronze

New Delhi: Nitu opened India’s go-for-gold campaign in the ongoing AIBA Women’s and Men’s World Championships at Budapest as three other pugilists- Anamika, Sakshi and Manisha joined in later at Budapest on Wednesday, 
Of the 10 girls competing here, eight of them managed to make it to the semi-finals in a record-breaking feat and four among them further crossed the hurdle with a fantastic showing in the rings late last night.

The first one to make the final cut was Nitu, who defeated the hard-punching Anel Kudaibergen of Kazakshtan in the lightfly category (45-48 kg) to get a 3:2 split verdict from the five judges. The Indian led, despite punching and inching her way, the judges verdicts kept fluctuating. But Nitua was holding a slender advantage which she held on gamely until the bell rang, thanks to her tenacity. 

The 2017 World Championship Gold medallist, making to a successive final, takes on Thailand’s Nillada Meekoon in the final.

Anamika, on the other hand, proved too hot for her Thai rival, Kittiya Nampai in flyweight class (51 kg) as the Indian outpunched round after round to emerge a clear winner on points (5:0). 

Anamika, who will clash with one of the most talked youth boxer, American Heaven Destiny Garcia in the gold showdown, was severe begin with against the Thai who was left guarding herself for most of the time.
 
Anamika, with an open guard, invited her opponent but Nampai was content not to get KO verdict. Meanwhile Bhavesh Kattimani (53 Kg) and Ankit (60 kg) ended with bronze medals after losing in the Youth boys semi-finals.