Kalpana, Usha win; Ibemcha, Jyotsana lose in World Championship

New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) Indians had a mixed day today with Kalpana Choudhry and N Usha winning their respective bouts in the 48 kg and 57 kg category and Ibemcha Devi and Jyotsana losing in the 60 kg and 86 kg category in the preliminary bouts of the fourth World Women Boxing Championship here today.

While Kalpana won comfortably against Nadia Shehata Abdelsamad of Egypt, Usha had a tougher challenger in the last edition's Bronze medallist Sandra Bizier of Canada.

However, Ibemcha and Jyotsana could not continue the winning streak. While Ibemcha lost to Lucie Bertaud of France, Jyotsana surrendered meekly to Semsi Yarali of Turkey.

Kalpana was the first Indian to take to the ring today and she did not disappoint the fans who cheered their heart out for the Assam pugilist.

The Indian was a slow starter against the Egyptian but gradually picked up and took a 17-4 lead at the end of the second round after a close first round.

Nadia failed to land a single punch in the second round and received a straight blow on the face, which left her shaken. Kalpana built on the lead in the decider and clinched the bout 24-7.

Usha, meanwhile, caused an upset by beating the Canadian, who looked to have an upperhand initially. The Andhra girl was down 1-3 before she recovered to equalise and end the first round 5-5.

Faced with the stiff challenge, the Canadian struggled to keep pace and Usha launched a flurry of punches to upset Sandra 20-14.

The winning streak of the Indians, however was ended soon after when Ibemcha lost her bout to Lucie.

The Frenchwoman was in complete control in the first round as she raced away with a 10-4 lead but the Manipur-girl came back strongly in the second round. However, the recovery proved shortlived as Lucie landed eight punches in the final rounmd as against the Indian's two to win the match 23-13.

Jyotsana was the last Indian in action today and was completely clueless against her Turkish opponent as she surrendered the bout 8-20.

UNI PM DH BS2114