Services' boxers continue to shine in Youth Nationals
As many as four boxers from Services, including world youth bronze medallist Bhavesh Kattimani, have qualified for the semi-finals of the Youth Nationals in Uttarakhand. Three boxers from Haryana, two from UP and one each from MP, Chandigarh and Assam have also made it to the last four round.
Kattimani managed to win with a unanimous decision in his favour in the 52kg category against Manipur’s Bhimjit Singh Heikrujam. Apart from Kattimani, Selay Soy (46-49kg), L Bilotson Singh (56kg) and Ajay Kumar (60kg) are the other Services' boxers who have qualified for the next round of the tournament.Â
However, among the female category, Haryana topped the list with as many as four boxers making their way into the semi-final round of the tournament in Uttarakhand. Three from Uttar Pradesh have also qualified for the last four in the girls’ categories. Manipur’s Babyrojisana Chanu managed to beat Uttar Pradesh’s Aprajita Mani with a unanimous 5-0 verdict in the flyweight category while Haryana’s Poonam got the batter of Manipur’s Thotyolo in the 54kg weight category quarter-final.
Shobha Kohli (45-48kg) and Sanjay Kumar (52Kg) from Uttrakhand are the only players from the host state in the knock-out stages of the tournament which is being played in Rudrapur. Mizoram, Assam, Rajasthan, Punjab and Manipur have one pugilist each from the states in the semi-final round of the competition.