Elorda Cup: Alfiya stuns former champ to clinch gold; Indian boxers win 14 medals

The reigning Youth World champions Alfiya Pathan and fellow boxer Gitika produced sensational performances to win gold medals in the Elorda Cup in Kazakhstan’s capital Nur-Sultan on Monday.
Two other female boxers, Kalaivani Srinivasan and Jamuna Boro signed off with silver medals as India ended their campaign with 14 medals including 10 bronze.
Nagpur-girl Alfiya thrashed the 2016 world champion and a strong contender for the title, Lazzat Kungeibayeva by a 5-0 margin without breaking a sweat in the women’s +81kg final while Gitika clinched a thrilling 4-1 win over compatriot Kalaivani in an intense all-Indian women’s 48kg final.
Alfiya proved too strong for the reigning Asian champion Kungeibayeva as she completely dominated the bout which eventually ended as a one-sided affair with a unanimous decision in Alfiya’s favour. The experienced Kazakh boxer looked clueless against the young Indian, who demonstrated remarkable skills.
Gitika, who hails from Rohtak, handed the country the first gold of the day by winning an intense all-Indian final against Kalaivani wherein both the boxers started with an aggressive intent and kept attacking each other.
Meanwhile, the 2019 World Championships bronze medallist Jamuna gave her all against Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova but ended up with a 0-5 loss in the 54kg final.
With the addition of two gold and as many silver medals on the final day, the Indian contingent also concluded its campaign with 14 medals, including 10 bronze, in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Indian women boxers secured two gold, two silver and six bronze medals in the tournament which witnessed top players in action from strong boxing countries such as India, Uzbekistan, hosts Kazakhstan, Cuba, China and Mongolia.
Jyoti Gulia (52kg), Sakshi (54kg), Sonia Lather (57kg), Neema (63kg), Lalita (70kg) and Babita Bisht (81kg) were the six bronze medallists in the women’s category.
Among men, Kuldeep Kumar (48kg), Ananta Chopade (54kg), Sachin (57kg) and Jugnoo (92kg) claimed bronze medals.
A 33-member Indian contingent took part in the tournament with two teams in the women’s section.