All India Police boxer Minakshi secured a big win against world champion Nitu Ghanghas of Haryana in the 48kg quarterfinals of the 8th Elite Women's National Boxing Championship on Monday. The 24-year-old Asian Championships silver medallist dominated the bout to win with a 4-1 split verdict.
Nitu Ghanghas, the 2022 Commonwealth Games champion and 2023 World's gold medallist, struggled to find her rhythm despite being known for her aggressive style and speed. Minakshi successfully countered Nitu's attacks throughout the match.
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"I am feeling really good. I had lost to Nitu at the Commonwealth Games trial so I knew it would be difficult," Minakshi said after her victory.
Minakshi will next face Delhi's Sanjana, who defeated Chandigarh's Guddi in their quarterfinal bout.
The championship saw other notable victories, including 2014 Incheon Asian Games bronze medallist Pooja Rani in the 75kg category. Representing Railways, she defeated Komal with a clear 5-0 margin.
World and Asian Championships silver medallist Sonia Lather advanced to the semifinals in the 54kg category after a close 4-3 split decision victory over Chandigarh's Monika.
In the 60kg category, All India Police's Sanju and Uttar Pradesh's Aparajita Mani secured their spots in the semifinals.
Youth world and national champion Sanamacha Chanu dominated her light middleweight (70kg) category bout, securing a first-round RSC victory over Karnataka's AA Saanchi Bollamma.
Defending champion Lalita from Rajasthan advanced in the 70kg category with a 4-1 split decision win against Punjab's Komalpreet Kaur.
Services Sports Promotion Board's Sakshi progressed to the semifinals with a first-round RSC win over Ladakh's Kulsoom. Having won silver in the previous edition, she remains in contention for gold this year.
