Indian Boxers Shine in World Cup Finals: Minakshi, Preeti Secure Semifinal Spots
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In a thrilling start to the Boxing World Cup Finals in Greater Noida, Indian boxers Minakshi Hooda and Preeti Pawar left a mark on the competition. Minakshi, the newly crowned world champion, dominated Kazakhstan's Bolat Akbota in the 48kg category, winning 5-0. Preeti, a Paris Olympian, made a strong comeback in the 54kg category, securing a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan's Nigina Uktamova after a year-long break from international competition. Preeti's victory was particularly notable, as she had to overcome a challenging start from her opponent in the first round. However, she regained her rhythm and took control in the second round, using her sharp footwork and precise combination punches to push Uktamova onto the back foot. Preeti attributed her comeback to her hard work on her defense and counters, which she believes has improved her overall game. Minakshi, on the other hand, displayed the confidence of a reigning world champion, using her long reach to great effect in her victory over Akbota. She expressed her excitement to compete in front of her home crowd and credited her experience in several international tournaments for improving her game. In the men's competition, Ankush Phangal (80kg) defeated Japan's Go Wakaya 5-0, while Narender Berwal (90+kg) prevailed 4-1 over Ukraine's Andrii Khaletskyi in the quarterfinals. Berwal attributed his victory to his improved footwork and ability to execute his game plan, which he believes will put him in good stead for upcoming competitions next year. The Boxing World Cup Finals feature a draw of eight boxers in each weight class, with the tournament offering a ranking system that will help boxers prepare for major competitions in the coming year.
