Sonia, Jyoti enter quarters of women's national boxing

2018 World Championships silver medallist Sonia Chahal (57kg) and Youth World champion Jyoti Gulia (51kg) stormed into quarter-finals of fourth Elite Women's National Boxing Championships on Wednesday. Chahal, who won 57kg gold in 2016 and bronze in 2017, endured stiff resistance from All India Police's Sandhyarani Devi in 57kg before coming out winner 4-1.

"I started slow but was able to go on all-out attack in third round. Overall, I am happy with my performance. Getting gold here is important for me as it will give me confidence to play trials for Olympic qualifiers. I hope to give my best and get gold," said Chahal after bout.

Youth Olympian and Youth World Champion Jyoti, representing Railways, however, had a much tougher time in ring. Chandigarh's India Open silver medallist Monika proved to be quite a challenge for Jyoti, who needed to dig deep to edge past her opponent with a 3-2 victory. Cologne World Cup gold medallist Meenakumari Devi, who is also defending champion in 54kg, didn't need to exert much effort as she was declared winner by RSC (Referee Stop Contest) in Round 3 against UP's Kanika Chaudhary. Cologne World Cup silver medallist Pwilao Basumatary also made an impressive start to her gold medal quest in 64kg against Delhi's Aarti Rawal. Assam pugilist, representing RSPB, emerged winner by dint of RSC in Round 3.

Later, 2019 President's Cup (Indonesia) gold medallist Monika landed a strong flurry of punches in her 48kg bout to record a commanding 5-0 win over Himachal Pradesh's Jyotika Bisht. Punjab and Chandigarh's boxers put up a dazzling display as usual. Minakshi (48kg), Riya Rani (54kg), Manu Badhan (75kg) and Parminder Kaur (81kg) put Punjab on winners' column. Chandigarh's Ritu progressed in 57kg via an RSC win in Round 2 over Jammu & Kashmir's Neha Bhagat, while Neema (64kg) emerged 5-0 winner over Maharashtra's Simran Mendon. One of biggest upsets of day, however, was exit of Chandigarh's promising Nandini in 81kg. Nandini, who was a part of 2019 Women's World Boxing Championships squad, was kcked out 1-4 by Uttar Pradesh's Shaily Singh.