India’s women boxers continued to script a stirring run at the ongoing World Boxing Championships in Liverpool. Late on Wednesday night, two contrasting figures of Indian boxing — 34-year-old seasoned campaigner Pooja Rani and 24-year-old rising star Jaismine Lamboria — sealed semifinal berths in their weight categories. With their progress, India now has three women semifinalists — Nupur Sheoran (+80kg), Pooja Rani (80kg) and Jaismine (57kg) — at the championships, which has confirmed three medals. While Pooja used every ounce of her experience to grind out a hard-fought win over Poland’s teenage challenger Emilia Koterska in the women’s 80kg category, Jaismine showcased flair and composure in dismantling Uzbekistan’s Khumorabonu Mamajonovato in the 57kg division. For Pooja, a first-round bye meant that her quarterfinal against Koterska was her first taste of action in Liverpool. Against the 19-year-old Koterska, Pooja relied on a patient, studied approach and slowing down the tempo. Koterska’s youthful energy and relentless punching tested Pooja, especially in the second round. But the Indian’s defensive craft and judicious counter-punching tilted the scales in her favour. The final result — a 3-2 split decision — reflected just how close the contest was. Pooja will now face England’s Emily Asquith. The 22-year-old Asquith, a southpaw, is a two-time European champion. After competing in the Tokyo Olympics in the 75kg category, she stepped up to the 80kg division — a non-Olympic weight class. Many believed her best years were behind her. But Pooja continues to defy time and expectations. If Pooja’s win was a story of survival and craft, Jaismine’s quarterfinal was a statement of dominance. The Bhiwani-born boxer, who recently won gold at the World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan, produced a clinical display to beat her Uzbek rival 5-0. Using her long reach to full advantage, Jaismine controlled the bout from the outset. Her straight jabs snapped Mamajonovato’s guard repeatedly, while her footwork allowed her to glide out of danger. She barely allowed the Uzbek clean opportunities, evading punches with nimble head movement and tight defensive awareness. What impressed most was her composure. At 24, Jaismine has quickly matured into a thinking boxer, not just relying on raw power or speed. By keeping the fight at range and dictating the pace, she ultimately ran away with a unanimous decision. Jaismine will battle Venezuelan Omailyn Carolina Alcala in the semifinal. The 27-year-old Alcala, known for her tactical ringcraft and excellent reach, is a two-time Pan-American champion. While the women celebrated, India’s men’s campaign took another hit late on Wednesday. Abhinash Jamwal bowed out in the 65kg quarterfinals, losing 1-4 to Olympic bronze medallist Lasha Guruli of Georgia. Abhinash, who had fought with great determination in earlier rounds, ran into a seasoned opponent adept at controlling the tempo. Guruli’s counter-attacking style neutralised Abhinash’s aggression, and despite flashes of sharp combination punching from the Indian, the Georgian’s experience and composure proved decisive. The result underlined a sobering trend for Indian men in Liverpool, where expectations and results did not align. With Abhinash’s defeat, only Jadumani Singh Mandengbam remains in contention from the men’s squad.
