ASTANA (KAZAKHSTAN), May 23: Previous edition�s silver-medallist and second seed Sarjubala Devi (48kg) advanced to the quarterfinals along with Seema Poonia (+81kg) as India rounded off a reasonably good day at the AIBA Women�s World Boxing Championships, here today.
Jolted by the ouster of their Olympic berth hopefuls MC Mary Kom (51kg), L Sarita Devi (60kg) and Pooja Rani (75kg), the Indian contingent had reason to celebrate today after Sarjubala and Seema advanced in the non-Olympic categories.
Sarjubala, a former junior world champion, gave a perfect start to the day for India by pummelling Sri Lanka�s Erandi Kaluhath 3-0.
The tempo boxer from Manipur was not stretched much in the bout as Kaluhath looked intimidated from the very first round.
The 22-year-old kept a tight grip on the proceedings by unleashing accurately-placed jabs to be the judges� unanimous choice. She will now face Kazakhstan�s Nazym Kyzaibay, who defeated Sweden�s Lise Sandebjer 3-0.
Seema was equally dominant in her win over Azerbaijan�s Aynur Rzayeva, who was sluggish for most part of the bout and was hardly a match to the attacking Indian. Up next for Seema is China�s Shijin Wang, who got the better of Uzebekistan�s Guzal Ismatova. � PTI
