Sarjubala bows out of Senior National Boxing Championship

Sarjubala (Blue) blocking a punch from Mamta (Red).

Guwahati, Nov 28: Day four of the 13th Senior National Boxing Championship presented by Monnet Ispat and Energy Limited and the Karambir Nabin Chandra Bardoloi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati witnessed the biggest upset of the championship in the very first weight division of the day. Youth World and reigning National Champion Sarjubala Devi (48kg) of Manipur went down against Mamta of Haryana in what was an enthralling contest.

Mamta, the Haryana state champion and the bronze medallist at the 2011 senior nationals entered the ring looking to avenge last year’s defeat against the 19 year old boxing sensation from Manipur, and her intent was clear with the beginning of the first round.  Taking full advantage of her height she overpowered Sarju with her long reaching arms and did not allow the multiple youth national champion to play her natural game; she lead 5-4 at the end of the first two minutes of play. Mamta continued with the similar tactics in the second round as well and it paid off.

Midway through the bout she had a three point advantage (5-3). In the third round Sarju upped the ante and was able to get the better of opponent after Mamta was given a warning for a foul punch. Things seem to be turning in favour of the Manipuri boxer, but drama unfolded in the fourth round when she got a caution herself, for intentionally putting her head down. In the end though, it was the Haryana boxer who triumphed by virtue of points (20-17) and advanced to the final round of the championship. After an intense eight minutes of play, that set the canvas ablaze, both the boxers retreated to their camps and broke down into tears. While one battling with the pangs of defeat, the other revelling in the satisfaction of a well deserved win. For the 23 year old Mamta, this victory meant a lot after having lost to Sarjubala in the semi-finals last year. She expressed, “It was difficult bout to win and it could have gone either way. We have practiced together at the national camps and I know her game, plus I had also done my home pretty well. I did not allow her that many attacking opportunities in the beginning and moved around the ring a lot and it worked like a charm. In the end she was under pressure and became over aggressive that played in my favour as well. Overall I am very happy with my performance. Mamta now takes on Rebecca Lalinmawii of Mizoram in the next round and will be aiming for her first senior national gold medal. Lalinmawii got the better of local girl Anita Kahar of Assam to set up the clash.

In the fly weight division, silver medal winner at the 2012 Asian Championships Pinky Jangra (51kg), displayed great determination and skill to get past some solid attacking from Basanti Chanu of All India Police. She led from the start to finish in the end winning on points 29-16. In the championship round she takes on Toniabala Chanu of Arunachal Pradesh, who beat Roshni Subba of Sikkim.