Source: The Sangai Express / Sheelpa Kothari
New Delhi, November 22:
Debutant Negisatty Usha created a flutter today by ousting world champion Michaela Cijevschi of Romania in the 57 kg while two-time champion MC Mary Kom moved closer to her third title in the 46 kg as five Indians romped into the finals in the 4th World Women boxing Championships here.
L Sarita Devi, bronze medallist in 54 kg, outclassed Egypt�s Samiha Ali Hassan, last year�s bronze medallist, in their last four stage contest of 52 kg at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium.
Of the eight Indians in contention today, five moved into the title rounds raising their hopes of clinching the team title in all probability while three pugilists, who lost today, will return with bronze medals.
Pugilists from Russia, Ukraine and DPR Korea, however, could pose some competition for the hosts.
Usha, who previously defeated bronze medallist and Pan-American Champion Sandra Bizier of Canada and European champion Ingrid Egner of Norway, caused her third consecutive major upset in the competition by out-boxing the Romanian champion 15-10.The Kerala boxer took an early lead but Michaela geared up to be level with her 4-4 at the end of the first round of the bout.
Usha now took initiative and managed a narrow advantage with her side-stepping counters to be 7-5 ahead.
Her sharp attacking punches combined with counterattacks helped her romp home.
�I had the confidence and a gut feeling that I will win the bout.
I did not know anything about my opponent I just played my game,� said Usha after the bout.
Mary, who regained some of her fitness after medical treatment, showed her class by thrashing Jong Ok of DPR Korea 20-8 in the re-match of last year�s final.
For a hat-trick of world titles, she will face Steluta Duta of Romania, whom the Manipuri had defeated in the recent Venus Cup in the build up of the event.
Sarita, another Manipuri boxer tipped to win the gold, hit two hard punches on the Egyptian in the first round of the bout and then took an unassailable lead following which the referee stopped the contest by verdict RSC(OC) in the second round.
Mizoram�s Jenny RL looked in hurry to make her maiden final appearance as she got the better of bronze medallist Kathleen Dunn of Canada 25-19 in a fast paced 63 kg bout.
Her right-left hooks and upper cuts were enough to make up for her short height in her weight category.
Jenny�s in-fighting tactics after every attacking punch kept Dunn from scoring.
�I can still believe it is happening with me.
That�s why tears rolled down my eyes when I was declared,� she said.
For Lekha KC it appeared to be a cake-walk against bronze medallist and European champion Anita Ducza of Hungary in 75 kg class.
However, Chhotu Laura (50kg) and Renu (80kg) has to be content with bronze medal finished against their superior opponents.