The reigning world champion Saweety Boora (81kg) and 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jaismine (60kg) punched their way to the title in the 7th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championships at the GBU Indoor Stadium in Greater Noida.
Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) continued their dominance in the tournament to secure their fourth team championship title in a row with eight medals that included five gold, one silver and two bronze. Member of Parliament from Gautam Buddh Nagar Dr Mahesh Sharma gave away the medals to the boxers in the presence of Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh and other officials.
With three gold medals, three silver and a bronze, Haryana secured the second position while All India Police (AIP) finished third with a total of six medals, including one gold medal, two silver and three bronze, at the prestigious tournament which was organised by the Boxing Federation of India.
Saweety, representing Haryana, looked too strong against Lalfakmawii Ralte in the 81kg category as the boxer from Mizoram hardly posed a threat to her title defence. Saweety unleashed a flurry of punches to secure a comfortable 5-0 win.
However, it wasn’t as easy for Jaismine representing Services Sports Control Board (SSCB). Punjab pugilist Simranjit Kaur Baatth took the bout down to the wire before it was declared 4-3 by the judges in favour of Jaismine.
Jaismine was later adjudged Best Boxer in the championship and Team Uttar Pradesh were given the Fair Play award. While UP’s Sonia won the Best Challenger award, Lalita of Rajasthan walked away as the Best Promising boxer.
Out of the six RSPB boxers who entered the final, five returned with gold medals for their team.
Anamika, the 50kg boxer from RSPB who had to settle for a silver last year, improved the colour of her medal in this edition with 5-0 victory over Haryana’s Kalpana.