Sonia, Shashi impress in women s boxing Nationals

Rohtak Jan 9 (IANS) Former world champion Sarita Devi (AIP) and Asian boxing championship silver medallist Sonia Lather stormed into the quarter-finals of the second elite womens National boxing Championship scoring facile wins here on Tuesday.

Sonia (Railways Sports Promotion Board) dominated her bout against Preeti (Punjab) in the featherweight category connecting repeatedly with her combination punches to win unanimously. Her 5-0 win put her on course for a potentially exciting final against Shashi Chopra.

Shashi who was crowned the World Youth Champion recently and is fighting her first elite championship came through her round with equal ease. She toyed with Saloni Shah (Maharashtra) showing her usual aggression and speed before winning 4-1.

Sarita too showed her class in the lightweight category beating Muthulakshmi (Tamil Nadu) without much of an effort. In fact she was so effective in the squared ring that the referee had to stop the contest in the first round itself.

--IANS
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