Mixed fortune for hosts

Aruna wins a ticket to semis, Mol loses

Aswathy Mol could not round off a perfect day for the home crowd at the world boxing champinships, but the celebrations over Aruna Mishra reaching the semi-finals had not quite died down when she bowed out to world champion Ariane Fortin of Canada in a 70kg fight.

The afternoon began with a powerful bout from Chhotu Laura; and it was a sign of things to come. The Haryana girl8217;s 19-9 win over Delphine Mancini of France in the 50kg category puts her in the last eight. Her next opponent will be Korean Eun-A Jang.

The next bout of Indian interest pitted L Sarita Devi againt Sumeyra Kaya of Turkey 52kg.

This, though, was a battle fought not just in the ring, but also in the stands 8211; between the Indian supporters and the Turkish team. The Turks have been responsible for a fair amount of noise 8211; with their songs and chants adding a fair bit of colour to the stadium. But today they were a pale shadow on the Indian screams.

8220;As the screams got louder and louder 8211; as they did towards the end of the second round 8211; I really did raise my game. Kaya is one of the top-ranked players, but that was not on my mind,8221; said a smiling Sarita after her 18-6 win. 8220;Today my height played a big part in my victory,8221; was how she assessed her bout. But the star of the evening proved to be Jharkand8217;s Aruna Mishra. Last year she made it to the last eight in Podolsk, Russia, but this year, she has been assured of at least a bronze medal.

8220;My left-right-left combination was very successful; that was what the coaches had asked me to do. In the last round, I was told to make her run around the ring, and that worked as well,8221; said Aruna after her 17-7 win.

In the semi-finals, she takes on a familiar face 8211; Aya Cissoko of France. 8221;I played her in the Venus Cup at Denmark this year. She won that bout, but that was just because I was unwell. I was not fit to fight, but I refused to concede. This time the winner will definitely be me,8221; was her confident statement.

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In the penultimate bout of the day, Ariane Fortin, the defending champion, defeated Aswathy Mol 21-4.