Gold medals for Vishwanath, Vanshaj and Devika in the World Boxing Championships
Indian boxers Vishwanath Suresh, Vansaj and Devika Ghorpade produced impressive performances to win gold medals at the ongoing IBA Youth Men’s and Women’s World Boxing Championships in La Nucia, Spain. Born in Chennai, Vishwanath won India’s first gold medal in this prestigious championship. He won the gold medal by defeating Ronel Suyom of Philippines in the men’s 48kg final. After this, Bhavna Sharma, who entered the ring, had to settle for a silver medal in the women’s 48kg category after losing 0-5 to Uzbekistan’s Gulsevar Ganieva.
Ashish (54kg) was the other Indian to bag a silver medal. He lost 1–4 to Japanese boxer Yuta Sakai. Devika, who hails from Pune, added another gold medal to India’s account by defeating Lauren Mackey of England in the women’s 52kg final. Youth Asian champion Vanshaj bagged the third gold medal for India. The boxer, who hails from Sonipat, easily defeated Georgia’s Demur Kazaya in the men’s 63.5kg category final. India topped the competition with 11 medals.
After that comes the number of Uzbekistan (10), Ireland (seven) and Kazakhstan (seven). Around 600 boxers from 73 countries participated in the championship this year. India won eight medals in the women’s section which is a record. Raveena (63kg) and Kirti (+81kg) can add two more gold medals to India’s tally in the women’s section finals on the last day of competition. Raveena and Keerthi will take on Megan Decler of the Netherlands and Elizabeth D’Arcy of Ireland respectively.