Indian boxers produced comprehensive performances to end their Cologne Boxing World Cup campaign with nine medals including three golds, two silver and four bronze on Saturday (December 19) night.
The three gold medals were bagged by Amit Panghal, Manisha Moun and Simranjit Kaur as the Indian pugilists successfully ended their 67-days Europe training and competition campaign.
Five women and eight men boxers were registered to the Cologne Boxing World Cup following their strong preparations in Italy.
Women’s World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Simranjit Kaur impressed in the semi-finals and competed against Maya Kleinhans in the title bout. The 25-years-old boxer showed some swift footwork to beat the local German opponent hands down with clear punches in the final. The Indian reduced the fighting distance successfully against the taller opponent and won the bout by a split decision taking the gold medal in the 60kg category.
In the 57kg category final, which saw an all-India fight between Manisha Moun and two-time Women’s Youth World Champion Sakshi Choudhary. The younger Sakshi tried to land quick punches and overcame her counterpart in the first round. However, Manisha moved more on her feet from the second round and did not give any chances to Sakshi before winning the bout 3:2 in a keenly fought contest. Sakshi ended her campaign with a silver in Cologne.
The World silver medalist was given a walkover by his German opponent Argishti Terteryan. While Satish Kumar had to settle with silver medal as he failed to compete in the summit clash due to an injury in the +91kg category.
The 2018 Asian Games gold medallist and 2019 ASBC Asian Champion Panghal won the round-robin competition at the men’s flyweight (52kg). The 25-year-old Indian defeated one of his main rivals, France’s World Boxing Championships bronze medalists Billal Bennama on his way to the final. He was given a walkover in the final by his German opponent.
However, Asian Games bronze winner Pooja Rai settled for a bronze medal after going down to the Netherlands’ Nouchka Fontijn. Also ending with bronze medals were Mohammed Hussamuddin and Gaurav Solanki in the men’s 57kg category.
