Indian boxer Minakshi Hooda advanced to the quarterfinals of the Boxing World Cup (Stage 2) in the women’s 51kg category at Guiyang, China, after registering a 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Poland’s Natalia Kuczewska on Thursday.
The win kept India’s strong run going at the event, with multiple boxers progressing deep into the draw and several quarterfinal matchups now confirmed across both the women’s and men’s sections.
Minakshi’s 5-0 win and India’s day four results
Minakshi, who is the reigning 48kg world champion and current World No. 1 in that division, is transitioning into the Olympic 51kg weight class in the ongoing competition. Her bout against Kuczewska ended in a convincing 5-0 unanimous decision, sending her into the last-eight stage in Guiyang.
In the other contest on day four involving an Indian boxer, Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) exited the tournament after a 0-5 defeat to Kyrgyzstan’s Mirzokhid Imamnazarov.
With Minakshi’s progress, India’s quarterfinal contingent at the tournament has grown. According to the update from the event, five Indian boxers have advanced to the quarterfinals so far: Nikhil (55kg), Deepak (70kg), Minakshi (51kg), Prachi (57kg), and Saneh (65kg).
India has also already secured medals through two boxers who have progressed into the semi-finals: Jyoti (48kg) and Jugnoo (85kg). Their advancement means podium finishes are assured regardless of the remaining results in their respective categories.
Looking ahead, four Indian boxers are set to take the ring in their quarterfinal bouts, with three matchups in the women’s section and one in the men’s section confirmed.
In the women’s quarterfinals, Minakshi (51kg) will face Kazakhstan’s Alua Balkibekova. Saneh (65kg) is scheduled to take on Poland’s Kinga Krowka, while Prachi (57kg) will meet Chinese Taipei’s Shih Yi Wu.
In the men’s quarterfinals, Nikhil (55kg) will clash with Azerbaijan’s Amin Mammadzada.
India’s quarterfinal lineup: the next bouts confirmed
The quarterfinal stage will be pivotal for India’s boxers still in contention, with Minakshi’s move into the 51kg category drawing particular attention as she continues her campaign in the Olympic weight class at the World Cup (Stage 2) in Guiyang.
With five Indians in the quarterfinals and two already in the semi-finals, India remains prominently represented in the latter stages of the tournament as the next set of bouts gets underway.
