Thailand Open International | Monika stuns two-time world championship medalist Josie Gabuco of the Philippines

Thailand Open International | Monika stuns two-time world championship medalist Josie Gabuco of the Philippines

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Monika in action on Monday.

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(BFI)

Indian boxer Monika handed a shock defeat to the two-time world championships medallist Josie Gabuco of the Philippines to enter the women’s 48kg semi-finals at the 2022 Thailand Open International Boxing tournament. The 26-year-old pulled off an impressive 4-1 victory over experienced Gubuco.

Monika will now face Vietnam’s Tran Thi Diem Kieu, who received a bye in the last round, in the semi-final. Ashish Kumar and Manisha were the other two Indian pugilists who also made their way into the semi-finals with contrasting wins against their respective Thai opponents.

While returning to the ring for the first time after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign, Ashish dominated Aphisit Khankhokkhruea during his comfortable win by unanimous decision men’s 81kg quarter-final, Manisha, who recently qualified for the upcoming World Championships as well as Asian Games, registered a hard-fought 3-2 win over the two-time youth Asian champion Porntip Buapa.

Meanwhile, Renu (54kg) and Monika (63kg) ended their campaigns following defeats in the quarter-finals. Renu went down fighting 2-3 in a close contest against the U-22 European champion Italy’s Sirine Charaabi. On the other hand, Monika conceded a defeat by RSC verdict against local favorite Panpatchara Somnuek in the women’s light welter contest.  

On the third day of the competition on Tuesday, Sumit and Gaurav Chauhan will play their quarter-finals against their respective opponents from Kazakhstan. Sumit (75kg), who received a bye in the last opening round, will take on Timur Nurseitov while Gaurav (91kg) will fight against 2018 Youth Olympics champion Aibek Oralbay.    

The ongoing tournament has been witnessing high-voltage competition in presence of 130 top boxers, including 74 males and 56 females, from Asia, Europe, Oceania, and Africa. Gold medal winners will earn USD 2000 while silver and bronze medallists will fetch USD 1000 and USD 500 respectively. The tournament will also see additional prize money for the best boxer in the tournament and the best team in the competition.

In the last edition of the Thailand Open, held in 2019, the Indian contingent signed off with eight medals—one gold, four silver, and three bronze.

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