Imphal, November 21: Three State women boxers were among nine Indians to march into the final of the 2nd Asian Women's Boxing Championships held at Hisar in Haryana today.

In the 46 kg class Mery Kom marched into the final downing LG Chandrika of Sri Lanka while in the 54 kg category L Sarita beat Chien Hsin Tzu of Chinese Taipei.

Another girl from the State, N Asharani also marched into the final when she beat Cho Jung Sook of South Korea in the 60 kg category.

World Championship gold medallist M C Mery kom led the way as nine Indian boxers moved into the finals scoring convincing wins in the semi-final bouts of the 2nd Asian Women's Boxing Championships here today.

The hosts' march overshadowed the progress of North Korea who had eight pugilists in the finals.

In the 45-kg class, Mery Kom lived upto her billing showcasing her powerful left hooks and straight cuts as she banged her way to victory against LG Chandrika of Sri Lanka.

Though the Lankan girl tried to tighten up her defence, Mery Kom breached it with skill before the Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) verdict came in the second round.

In the 54-kg category India's L Sarita proved her might outclassing Chien Hsin Tzu of Tapei and forcing the referee to stop in the very first round.

The other semi in this weight category saw a tough battle between World Cup gold medallist Zhang Giyan of China and last edition's winner Ha Son Bi of North Korea.

After a fierce battle that went the distance, the Korean prevailed with a narrow margin 24-22.But India's Kanak Durga lost out in the 46-kg class to Se Yanfurong of China by 37-29.In the 50-kg semifinal, a flurry of punches by Meena Kumari from the very beginning which landed on the face of Lee Chiman of Chinese Tapie saw the Indian gaining the upper hand and an RSC win following a compulsory count.

In the other semi, Kaa Dil Rukshi of Sri Lanka proved no match to World Championship winner Rijong Hyang of North Korea who outclassed the former in the very first round.

Kim Kwang Ok of North Korea beat Japan's Na Oko Fujioka in 50-kg on points 24-14 points.

Sushma advanced to the final in the 52-kg class outscoring last edition's bronze medallist L Bo of China in the second round with an RSC result.

Results - 45 Kg: Chou Szu Yin (Chinese Taipei) bt Puika Tang (Hong Kong) RSC 2nd round, M C Mery Kom (India) bt LG Chandrika (Sri Lanka) RSC 2nd round.

48 Kg: Se Yannfurong (China) bt Kanak Durga (India) 37-29 points, Rijong Hyang (NK) bt Kaa Dilrukashi (SL) RSC.

50 Kg: Meena Kumari (Ind) bt Lee Chi Man (Chinese Taipei) RSC 1st rd, Kim Kwang Ok (NK ) bt Naoko Fujioka (Jap) by 24-17 points.

52 Kg: Pak Kyok Ok (NK) bt A Yanase (Jap) RSC 1st rd, Sushma (Ind) bt Libo (China) RSC 2nd rd.

54 Kg: L Sarita (Ind) bt Chien Hsin Tzu (Chinese Taipei) RSC 1st rd, Ha Son Bi (NK) bt Zhang Giyan (Chn) 24-22.57 Kg: Kim Hyo Min (SK) bt A Lama (Nep) RSC 2nd rd, Yun Kum Ju (NK) bt Aswathy (Ind) by 21-12.60 Kg: Kang Kum Hui (NK) bt Jin Shi (Chi) RSC (OC) 1st rd, N Asha Rani (Ind) bt Cho Jung Sook (SK) RSC (OC) 1st rd.

63 Kg: R L Jenny (Ind) bt Tian Dan (Chn) by 20-9.66 Kg: Aruna (Ind) bt Ri Jong Sim (NK) RSC (OC), Wang Xian (Chn) bt Linya Ting (Chin Taipei) 19-9 points.

Olympic qualifiers: Indian boxing team will participate in the first Olympics qualifiers in Manila, Philippines from Jan 11 to 18, Amateur Indian Boxing Federation (AIBF) acting-president RS Dalal said today.

As a preparation for the competition the AIBF has sent an 11-member team to Tashkent, Uzbekistan for a 45-day training-cum-competition camp, Dalal said.

About the second Asian Women's Boxing, he said the aim of organising international boxing championship was to know the technical expertise adopted by various countries in this game and developing better coordination between the countries.

Since the sport was becoming popular in North-Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur along with the other parts of India, AIBF was planning to organize championships every year in some part of India, Dalal said.

CM assures Rs 1 lac each for gold: Congratulating the three boxers from Manipur who marched into the final of the 2nd Asian Women Boxing Championship at Hisar in Haryana today, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that if the boxers win the gold then they would be awarded a cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs each.

Mery Kom, L Sarita and N Asharani all marched into the final of the boxing championship with ease today.

Comment