India’s Nikhat Zareen reacts throughout her Asian Video games 2023 Spherical of 32 bout in opposition to Vietnam’s Thi Tam Nguyen. PTI
Hangzhou: In a rematch of World Championship closing, prime Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen outclassed Vietnam’s Thi Tam Nguyen 5-0 to maneuver to the ladies’s 50kg pre-quarterfinals whereas Preeti Pawar (54kg) sealed a spot within the quarter-finals of the Asian Video games in Hangzhou on Sunday.
Two-time world champion Zareen defeated the two-time Asian Champion Nguyen by unanimous resolution.
One in every of solely 4 boxers to not get a primary spherical bye within the 50kg occasion regardless of being the reigning world champion, Zareen managed the proceedings from the phrase go.
Associated Articles
Asian Games: China surge ahead atop table, India win five medals on Day 1
“I had not expected it (to be a one-sided bout) but my plan was to make it one because it’s happening in another country and I didn’t want to give any chance to her. My plan was to win the first two round unanimously and then relax in the third,” Zareen stated after the win.
Within the opening two rounds Zareen landed correct punches, rattling her opponent.
Such was her energy that the referee was pressured to present Nguyen the eight depend twice in 30 seconds within the opening spherical.
Nguyen tried to assault within the second spherical however Zareen retaliated with sturdy mixture punches, forcing a 3rd eight depend upon the Vietnamese boxer.
Together with her work achieved, Zareen conserved vitality within the closing three minutes, defending superbly with the assistance of her nimble footwork.
Asian Games: Indian medal winners at Hangzhou 2023
With coveted Olympic quotas at stake, Zareen stated she is concentrating on qualifying for the Paris Video games first.
“I am focussing on qualification first. Then step-by-step I’ll think of final and gold,” Zareen stated.
All 4 semi-finalists within the gentle flyweight class will earn Olympic quotas.
Additionally placing up a dominating present was proficient Indian boxer Preeti, who notched up an RSC (referee stops contest) win over Jordan’s Silina Alhasanat.
Zareen will face Chorong Bak of South Korea within the Spherical of 16 whereas a tricky bout awaits Preeti. The Indian teenager must struggle seasoned Kazakh boxer and three-time worlds medallist Zhaina Shekerbekova
The 19-year-old Preeti, who made the pre-quarterfinals of the World Championships earlier this 12 months, is now one bout away from assuring herself of a medal and an Olympic quota.
Taking part in a strategic bout, Preeti began the competition on a defensive mode earlier than unleashing her attacking recreation.
After a sedate begin, the Indian went on the offensive and landed good jabs and hooks to win the opening two rounds simply.
After displaying promise initially, Silina pale away and checked out sea because the referee gave her two standing counts within the second and third rounds earlier than stopping the competition.