The action intensified yesterday at the 6th edition of the Asian Women's Boxing Championships in Ulanbaatar, Mongolia, as the athletes battled it out for semi-final qualification. A few surprises once again proving the strength of the competition.
AIBA Road to Bridgetown Program member Hsieh Meng Chun achieved a first victory for Chinese Taipei at the tournament. The talented 21-year-old Light Flyweight defeated Vietnam's Quang Ngai-based teenager Nguyen Thi Tham in a close fought contest that ended 17:15. That victory guarantees Chun at least a bronze medal in these Championships. She will now face Mongolia's Bolortuul Tumurkhuyag, who recorded a career highlight as she advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in a major international tournament. Tumurkhuyag triumphed in style over Sri Lanka's two-time National Champion Athawuda Kosala Nilmini, 26:11.
China's Asian Championships bronze medallist Luo Yujie eliminated the first Filipino fighter in this event. She was just too strong for AIBA World Championships bronze medallist Josie Gabuco. Yujie will now meet India's new sensation, Pinky Jangra, in the semi-finals. The newly selected Indian Light Flyweight boxer overwhelmed Kazakhstan's National Champion Dina Ilyubayeva to win 17:8.
Vietnam's AIBA Youth World Championships silver medallist Luu Thi Duyen moved down to the Bantamweight class, however the teenager was defeated in Ulanbaatar by China's National Champion Liu Kejia, who has been training in Inner Mongolia, very near to the venue of the Championships. The final score in this spectacular fight was 11:8 to the Chinese boxer as Luu Thi Duyen failed to reach the medals in her first major elite competition.
Bantamweight gold medal contender, AIBA World Championships quarter-finalist, Nesthy Petecio from the Philippines made a successful debut on the first competition day in Ulanbaatar and continued her winning streak against DPR Korea's National Champion Choe Un Jong, as she powered past this newcomer at the international level.
India's great future hope, Federation Cup gold medallist Sonia Lather Singh had an excellent performance against Sri Lanka's 19-year-old Viushika Prabadi. She won their contest by large margin of points to set-up a meeting with Kazakhstan's three-time National 23-year-old Champion Gulzhan Akimova. The Kazak had eliminated local favourite, Mongolia's Myagmar Gundegmaa by 23:14.
India's former AIBA World Champion Sarita Devi Laishram, who moved up two weight classes before these Championships, started her challenge for the Lightweight gold against Kazakhstan's Gulzhan Ubbiniyazova, who had replaced Asian Champion Saida Khasenova just before the event. The final verdict in their bout, a resounding 23:11 to Devi.
China's spearhead in the Olympic Lightweight category, two-time AIBA World Championships silver medallist and Asian Games winner Dong Cheng made an excellent debut in the Asian Women's Championships in Ulanbaatar against her tough Thai opponent on Tuesday. It was little easier this time around as she walked over to the semis after the withdrawal of against Jordan's two-time National Champion Baraa Hilmi Mahmoud Al-Basy.
Former Asian Champion Kim Hye Yong secured the first medal for North Korea after beating Japan's two-time National Champion Tomoko Kugimiya. Her next opponent will be 19-year-old Tajikistan's defending Asian Champion Mavzuna Choriyeva, who outclassed Mongolia's pride Oyungurel Suvderdene.
In the last fight of day, Mongolia's President's Cup silver medallist Erdenesoyol Uyanga secured her passage to the next round of the Light Welterweight competition by overcoming the challenge of India's Arafura Games silver medallist Meena Rani.
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