ELORDA CUP 2022 :ALFIYA AND GITIKA BAGGED GOLD ; INDIA WINS 14 MEDALS
By Bibhu Ray
(The Quiver) :On Monday,Reigning Youth world champions Alfiya Pathan and Gitika produced sensational performance to win gold medals at the inaugural edition of the Elorda boxing cup in Nur-sultan, Kazakhstan . With the addition of two gold, two silver and 10 bronze on the final day. the 33-member India contingent concluded its campaign with an overall tally of 14 medals.
Two other female boxers, Kalaivani Srinivasan and Jamuna Boro signed off with silver medals.
Nagpur girl Alfiya thrashed the 2016 world champion and a strong contender for the title, Lazzat kungeibayeva, by a 5-0 margin without breaking a sweat in the women’s +81kg final.
On the other hand, Gitika, who hails from Rohtak clinched a thrilling 4-1 victory over compatriot Kalaivani in an intense all-Indian women’s 48kg final.
Both Alfiya and Gitika bagged prize money of USD 700 for their gold winning feats on their debut at the senior international event.While silver medal and bronze medals winners were awarded with USD 400 and USD 200 each respectively.
“It is an amazing feeling to win a gold medal, especially against the world champion medalist,” an elated Alfiya expressed after winning the gold medal.
“It was a great feeling to win a gold medal in the first in the senior international tournament. This is the start; I want to win more medals at the senior level in international competitions,” Gitika said.
Meanwhile, the 2019 World champions Bronze medalist, Jamuna went down to Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova 0-5 in the 54kg final.
Among men, Kuldeep Kumar(48kg), Ananta Chopade (54kg), Sachin (57kg) and Jugnoo(92kg) claimed bronze medals while Jyoti Gulia (52kg), Sakshi (54kg), Sonia Lather (57kg), Neema(63kg), Lalita (70kg) and Babita Bisht (81kg) were the six bronze medalists in the women’s category.The Tournament witnessed top players in action from countries like India, Uzbekistan, hosts Kazakhstan, Cuba, Mongolia and China.
