Lovlina, Jaismine and Hussamuddin confirm medals at National Games

Olympic bronze winner Lovlina Borgohain and Commonwealth Games medal winning duo of Mohammed Hussamuddin and Jaismine Lamboria assured themselves of a medal each at the National Games boxing competition after recording quarterfinal victories here on Sunday. Even as the fancied names made progress, Gujarat’s Asifali Asgharli Syed and Ruchita Rajput lined up for a podium finish, giving the home crowd much to cheer about. The referee stopped Ruchita’s contest against Maharastra’s Sanika Sasane who fractured her ankle in the opening round.

Syed got the vociferous home crowd on its feet by recording a split decision 4-1 win against Jharkhand’s Jadov Deogam in the men’s 57kg category.

He takes on world youth champion Sachin Siwach (Haryana), who beat Chhattisgarh’s S Sahil in a bloodied quarterfinal. Sachin and Sahil both suffered cuts on their foreheads, forcing the referee to end the contest, and award it in favour of the Haryana boxer.

World Championship and multiple Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (Assam) enjoyed a fruitful day in office by recording a commanding 5-0 win over Punjab’s Vikash.

In the women’s 60kg class, World Championship medalist Simranjit Kaur (Punjab) made it to the last four with a comfortable 5-0 win over Mizoram’s Kroshmangaihsangi. Simranjit will be up against Assam’s Pwilao Basumatary, who registered a stunning win over Himachal Pradesh’s little-known Dimple Upadhay.

Assam’s Lovlina preferred to spend some time in the ring before registering a commanding 5-0 unanimous verdict win in women’s 75kg bout against KA Indraja (Kerala).

The gap in class was evident even as Lovlina made full use of the opportunity to free her arms and eventually set up a clash with home boxer Ruchita Rajput.

Saweety Boora, a World Championship medallist, set up the other 75kg semifinal with Himachal Pradesh’s Shreetima Thakur after getting the better of Delhi’s Shalakha Singh by a 5-0 verdict.

In the 60kg class, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jaismine stood out against Uttarakhand’s Lucky Rana.

The taller Haryana boxer’s wide range of punches unsettled Lucky and left her searching for cover in what ended as a lop-sided 5-0 unanimous verdict in favour of the 21-year-old Asian championship medallist.

Jaismine will next meet Manipur’s Pravish Konthoujam, who won a narrow 3-2 verdict over Maharashtra’s Poonam Kaithwas.