Preeti loses opening bout in World Championship

New Delhi , Nov 18 (UNI) India's campaign in the fourth World Women's Boxing Championship got off to a disappointing start as Preeti Beniwal lost her preliminary bout in the 54 kg category to Poland's Karolina Michalczuk here today.

Preeti, the only Indian in action today, lost 9-24 to Karolina after making a slow start. The Indian made a slow start and allowed Karolina to race away with the momentum, which ultimately cost her the bout.

The Indian managed to land only one punch in the opening round before recovering to some extent in the second round.

However, the Haryana-girl found it hard to erase the first round deficit and despite a spirited try, the Indian proved no match for the European star.

A visibly upset Preeti blamed the loss on her inability to make a good start and the superior technique of her European counterpart.

''I always lose in the opening round. This has happened to me earlier tournaments as well. I have to improve my technique and work harder the next time around,'' Preeti said after the disappointing loss.

However, coach Anoop Kumar did not want to read too much into the loss and said India remained a strong contender in the championship despite the opening disappointment.

''She (Karolina) is the best in Europe and I was always doubtful about our prospects in this match. Nevertheless the tournament has just begun and we are confident about our coming bouts,'' he said.

''Preeti is inexperienced and it showed in the ring. But given the tough draw I am not that disappointed,'' he added.

Meanwhile, in an exciting contest Ri Kwang Suk of North Korea beat Lydia Walczak of Canada 23-22 in the 54 kg category.

It was the best bout of the day so far and ended with both girls being tied on 23 points each, but then the Korean eventually prevailed on individual scores.

Two of the bouts were stopped on RSCOS, where Issatayeva A of debutant country Kazakstan had to concede to a far superior L Hrytsay from Ukraine, while Koufi Arbia from Algeria was overpowered by Ri Jong Hyang from North Korea.

Earlier, with the presence of 33 countries and 178 boxers besides 200 officials, as part of the biggest event in women boxing, the championship got off to great start.

Chief Minister Sheila Dixit declared the championship open and promised to try her utmost to get women boxing included as a tournament sport in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games 2010.

While all the flag bearers surrounded the boxing ring with their national flag, MC Mary Kom, the two time World Champion from India took the oath inside the ring. And then a group of young students from Delhi Public School RK Puram performed a dance based on the traditional festival of Holi.

Results so far : 48 kg: O Myloserdna (Ukr) beat Valerie Bedard (Can) Monica Csik (Hun) beat Laura Tosti (Italy) G Olesya (Rus) beat B Nargul (Kaz) Ri Jong Hyang (North Korea) beat Koufi Arbia (Alg) 54 kg: Ri Kwang Suk (North Korea) beat Lydia Walczak (Can) Karolina M (Poland) beat Preeti Beniwal (Ind) Issatayeva A (Kaz) beat L Hrytsay (Ukr) E Klinefelter (USA) beat Sapriye Sengul (Tur) O Sofya (Rus) beat Jasmin D (Aus) Kati Collander (Fin) beat Erdengerel B (Mng) 57 kg: Alexis P (Nzl) beat Mihaela C (Rom) UNI PM DH RAI2014