Indian women pugilists shine in Demnark

Indian eves set the tone for the ensuing World Cup by winning the coveted Venus Cup International Boxing Tournament at Veijle in Denmark.

The pugilists, led by reigning World champion M C Marykom, garnered five gold medals, four silver and one bronze in the competition that concluded on Sunday.

Boxers from world champions Russia, New Zealand, Italy, Canada, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, France, Romania, Germany and Finland took part in the competition, organised mainly for European teams in the build-up to the fourth World Cup to be held here next month.

Three-time World champion Marykom lived up to her reputation by out-punching S Duta of Romania, who retired in the third round of the 46 kg bout.

Chottu Laura's better ring craft strategy helped her defeat D Mancini of France on points 26-13 in 50 kg class and bag the second gold for India.

Sushma Kumari made it a forgettable final for N Forget of Canada, winning 19-10 to add another yellow metal in the 52 kg division while L Sarita Devi continued the trend pulling off a narrow 34-32 victory after coming from behind in the last round against home challenger K Michalzeuk.

It was an all-Indian final in the 57 kg class, where N Usha took the honours against compatriot Aswathy Prabha. Usha edged out Prabha by mere a point to win 16-15.

Another silver came in 48 kg class as Kalpana Chaudhary lost 14-25 to E Pekalska of Poland and Aruna Mishra (66Kg) bowed out to A Cissoko of France by offering a feeble resistance.

Mishra was thrashed 5-24. Aswathy Mol (70kg) went down against A Fortin of Canada 4-19. Lekha K C won the bronze in the 80 kg category.