Liverpool: Debutant Minakshi Hooda continued her sparkling run to become the third Indian woman boxer to storm into the final of the World Championships, outclassing Mongolia’s Lutsaikhany Altantsetseg in commanding fashion here on Saturday.
The former Asian Championships and World Cup silver medallist delivered a near-flawless performance, registering a resounding 5-0 victory over the 2023 World Championships runner-up in the 48kg semifinal, which is a non-Olympic weight class, at the M&S Bank Arena.
With her triumph, the lanky 24-year-old joined Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and heavyweight Nupur Sheoran (+80kg) in the finals. Both Jaismine and Nupur had marched into the title round a day earlier, ensuring a strong Indian presence in the finals.
A 2022 Asian championships silver medallist in the 52kg weight class, long ranger Minakshi attacked early with an assortment of jabs and combinations. A solid right blow floored Altantsetseg and inflicted a standing count on her as the Indian impressed all the five judges in the first round.
The Mongolian showed her aggressive intent by landing straight shots, but Minakshi’s excellent movement and fluid action, combined with power and precision, won her another unanimous round.
Dancing around the ring and delivering her counters, the Indian denied Altantsetseg any scope to execute her plans in the third and final round and sailed into the final.
The 24-year-old Indian will lock horns with Kazakhstan’s Paris Olympics bronze medallist Nazym Kyzaibay in a battle for the title.
