bhaskarlive

World Boxing U-19 C'ships: Prachi Tokas assured of a medal in womens 80+ kg category

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS) Asian U-19 silver medallist Prachi Tokas assured the first medal for the Indian contingent when she outplayed Samoas Kealey Perez to reach the womens 80+ kg category semifinals of the 2026 World Boxing U-19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro. In the quarterfinals that ended late on Tuesday evening, Tokas dominated all three rounds against Perez, who had won the gold medal in the 80 kg category at the U19 World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier this year. In the semifinals, the Indian boxer will face Russias Samira Itonieva. Meanwhile, Harshika and Lakshu are now a win away from an assured medal after they registered contrasting wins in their pre-quarterfinals bout. Harshika defeated Tiana Rew of Australia 4:0 in the womens 65kg category while Lakshu got the better of Buse Nur Yahan of Turkey 3:2 in the womens 70kg category. Later in the mens 90 kg category, Dhruv went down 0:3 against Aleksander Sikora of Poland. Earlier, Aman Dev came up with yet another clinical performance to beat Pavle Popovic of Serbia to reach the mens quarter-finals in the 50 kg category in Budva, Montenegro. Aman dominated all three rounds against Popovic to earn a 5:0 verdict and will now face Shalva Beridze of Georgia in the last eight. Later in the day, Mausam Suhag booked his place in the round of 16 with a 5:0 win over Giuseppe Cavallo of Italy in the mens 65kg category. He will now face Turkeys Mehmet Enes Sanli for a spot in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Shivam lost to Nikola Bogatinoski of Serbia in the mens 60kg category by RSC late on Sunday evening. On Monday, Aditya and Tridev registered contrastive victories in the second round of their respective weight categories to reach the pre-quarterfinals. Aditya defeated USAs Christian Paez by RSC in the second round after his opponent was given two countdowns each in both the rounds in the mens 55kg category. Tridev earned a 3:2 verdict against Kajetan Bajzert of Poland in the mens 85kg bout. In the nail-biting clash, the Indian kept his nose ahead by winning all three rounds as three of the five judges gave the rounds to him.