Six-time world champion Mary Kom and Asian Championshipsbronze medalist Nikhat Zareen set up a blockbuster semi-final showdown in 51kgafter confirming medals at the second edition of the India Open InternationalBoxing Tournament at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi AC Indoor Stadium inAssam on Tuesday.
Manju Rani, Monika and Kalavani also entered the 48kgsemi-finals to confirm five medals for India on the second day of India'spremier boxing tournament and bring India's total medal tally to 15.
Nepal's Mala Rai was no match for the London Olympic bronzemedallist Mary Kom who wasted no time in progressing into the last-four with acommanding 5-0 win. Strandja Cup gold medallist Nikhat too was equallyimpressive with her flurry of punches against compatriot Anamika and registereda comfortable 5-0 victory.
Strandja Cup silver medallist Manju Rani kept attacking heropponent, Cleo Claveras Tesara of Philippines right from the start to earn awin by RSC (Referee Stop Contest) in Round 1 to move into the 48kg semi-finals.Monika was equally dominant in her quarter-final bout with Thailand's ApapornIntongsee to earn a 5-0 win.
Kalavani was deemed the winner by RSC in Round 2 overBhutan's Tandin Lhamo while Nitu did not enjoy the same fortunes and wasblanked 0-5 by former world champion Josie Gabuco of Philippines.
10 Indian boxers had already confirmed medals even before the start of the event with 6 in men and 4 in women being placed in the semi-finals because of the smaller size of the draw.
On the men's side, Brijesh Yadav and Sanjay are already into the 81kg semi-finals and so are Naman Tanwar and Sanjeet in 91kg and Satish Kumar and Atul Thakur in +91kg.
In women's, Lovlina Borgohain and and Anjali are already assured of medals in 69kg while Bhagyabati Kachari and Saweety Boora are through to the last-four in 75kg by virtue of a first round bye.
