By Shivani P Menon
Paris Olympian Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) reserved semifinal berths to guarantee medals for India at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool on Wednesday.
In the 80+kg category, Nupur won 4:1 against Oltinoy Sotimboeva of Uzbekistan, assuring her of at least a bronze medal when she comes back to India. A couple of hours later, Jaismine grabbed a podium place in the 57kg category by beating another Uzbek, Khumorabonu Mamajonova, 5:0.
But in the round of eight, two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (51 kg) was defeated 0–5 by Turkiye’s former world champion and silver medallist Buse Naz.
The two are members of Hawa Singh Sheoran’s extended family, the two-time Asian Games champion heavyweight. His granddaughter, Nupur, is 26 years old. Her father, Sanjay Singh Sheoran, runs a boxing school in Bhiwani. Hawa Singh’s niece was the paternal grandmother of Jaismine.
Venezuelan Olympian Omailyn Alcala will meet Jaismine, and Nupur will meet Turkey’s Seyma Duztas. Jaismine’s sublime footwork and long arms aided her in beating Asian under-22 champion Khumorabonu with her counterpunching skills. The Indian won the three rounds due to her excellent application of jabs and combinations.
Though clinching from both boxers, Nupur, gold medallist on World Cup stage-II, won the first round 4-1 with her jabs. After the Indian lost twice due to clumsy tussles, the Uzbek recovered and both were docked one point each in the third round. But amidst the mayhem, Nupur took the win.
Even after losing a point for holding in the second round, Buse Naz counterpunched beautifully, stepping back to land right hooks and taking away the unanimous decision, even against Nikhat’s aggression.
With commanding victories on Tuesday evening, Jadumani Singh (48 kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (65 kg) reached the quarterfinals in the men’s category. However, Jugnoo Ahlawat’s 85kg campaign ended in the first round when he was out of luck against Robert McNulty of Scotland.