CWG 2018: Boxer Sarita Devi punches her way to quarters

Gold Coast [Australia]: Veteran Indian boxer Sarita Devi produced a dominating performance as she booked her place in the quarter-finals of the 2018 Commonwealth Games after sweeping aside Kimberly Gittens of Barbados in the women’s 60kg category here on Saturday.

The 36-year-old bought her experience to the fore as she defeated Kimberly in a unanimous 5-0 verdict to make it to the last-eight of the prestigious quadrennial event. Sarita received identical 30-25 verdicts from each of the five judges.

With the win, Sarita has now set up a clash against Anja Stridsman of Australia for a place in the semi-finals of the women’s boxing 60 kg category.

Meanwhile, Indian boxer Hussamuddin Mohammed also made it to the quarter-finals of the men’s 56 kg category after hammering Boe Warawara of Vanuatu in the round-of-16.

Hussamuddin remained in possession from the start as he posted a 5-0 win over Warawara through unanimous verdict.

He will now lock horns with Mwanjwango Ezra of Tanzania on April 10 in his quarter-final clash.

Elsewhere in the Games, Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash, who had broken his own National Record earlier in the games, finished at a disappointing eighth spot in the finals of the 200m butterfly.

In women’s basketball, India have slumped to their second defeat after Malaysia thrashed them 85-72. India will now take on New Zealand and are unlikely to progress to the medal rounds.(ANI)