Russian women continue terrific form in quarter-finals – AIBA

The 7th edition of the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships continued into its second day of the quarter-final stages in Qinhuangdao, where winners from 18 different nations secured at least a bronze medal for themselves. Russia’s incredible run continued with nine quarter-finalists progressing to the last four of their respective divisions. China and USA also shined with both nations assured of five medallists whist England now has four representatives on the podium.

Russia’s first medal was achieved by current European Champion Svetlana Gnevanova, who is the top favourite in the Light Flyweight division, as she kept her golden dreams alive in Qinhuangdao. She came through a big battle with India’s Pinky Jangra. He rival tried everything in the last round to overturn her deficit but Gnevanova’s held on for the win and will now meet Philippines’ Josie Gabuco in the semi-finals.

China’s two-time AIBA World Champion, 24-year-old Ren Cancan, and US Flyweight No.1 Marlen Esparza put on quite a show for the spectators during their fight. The host nation’s top boxer started better and she kept up her momentum to take the victory in style. Both these world class athletes have now qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Ren Cancan’s next opponent will be Poland’s former AIBA World Champion veteran Karolina Michalczuk, who had to use all of her skills to beat Bulgaria’s EU Champion Stoyka Petrova in their quarter-final battle. Michalczuk become the competition’s first Polish boxer to qualify for the Olympic Games.

England’s golden girl, two-time AIBA World Championships silver medallist and current European Champion Nicola Adams defied the odds to record the win of her career so far after coming out on top in her contest with India’s five-time AIBA World Champion Chungneijang Mary Kom. Adams’ 13:11 triumph means she now faces Russia’s AIBA World Champion Yelena Savelyeva with a place in the final at stake.

Defending National Champion Christina Cruz, who is member of the national squad since 2007, claimed the first medal for the USA. Bantamweight Cruz fought an excellent final round against Thailand’s Southeast Asian Games winner Sopida Satumrum as he scored the vital point s to defeat her rival 20:19. The US boxer’s next opponent will now be Italian veteran Terry Gordini, who unexpectedly defeated Philippines’ Alice Kate Aparri in the her quarter-final bout.

Lisa Whiteside made her debut in the English national squad at the 2011 European Women’s Championships in Rotterdam where she claimed a silver medal. The 26-year-old English boxer was the better operator in the final stages and her effectiveness resulted in a splendid victory over Ukraine’s Yuliya Tsiplakova.

Ireland’s national hero and Lightweight No.1 Katie Taylor, already a three-time AIBA World Champion, is still on track to defend her crown at these championships. The Irish boxer from Bray city walked over to the semi-finals due to Romania’s former AIBA World Champion Mihaela Cijevschi Lacatus unable to take to the ring. Taylor’s next opponent will be Mavzuna Choriyeva, who acquired the first ever women’s international competition medal for Tajikistan.

Russia’s two-time AIBA World Champion Sofya Ochigava eliminated China’s tough Dong Cheng in the last 16 and continued her fine form with another quality win at this tournament. The Russian star, who is Katie Taylor’s biggest rival, eliminated Brazil’s multiple-Panamerican Champion Adriana Araujo 15:6 and not only advanced to the semi-finals but also secured an Olympic quota place. Her next rival will be England’s Olympic Test Event winner Natasha Jonas, who will also compete in London.

Russian National Champion Daria Abramova faced Sweden’s 18-year-old AIBA Youth World Championships silver medallist Patricia Berghult in the Light Welterweight quarter-finals. Abramova took a 6:3 lead after the first round but somehow the Swedish teenager came back and turned the contest on its head to take the advantage after the second. The Russian boxer’s corner must have then given the right advice to Abramova who was then excellent in the fourth to take an overall 17:15 win in this enthralling contest.

Netherlands’ European Champion Marichelle De Jong secured her country’s only medal in Qinhuangdao following her victory over Australia’s last hope, National Champion Kaye Scott. The final verdict of their Welterweight contest was 21:9 to the Dutch veteran who will now meet Ukraine’s Maria Badulina.

Azerbaijan’s former Russian National Champion, Yelena Vystropova, won each of her four rounds against Ukraine’s AIBA World Championships bronze medallist Liliya Durnyeva to move into the last four. The Azeri boxer, who achieved at least bronze, will now meet Sweden’s former AIBA World Champion Anna Laurell.

The fourth and final English quarter-finalist won her Olympic Middleweight bout in Qinhuangdao. AIBA World Championships silver medallist and Olympic Test Event winner Savannah Marshall shocked the on looking Chinese fans with her magnificent victory over the host nation’s former AIBA World Champion Li Jinzi, the final score an impressive 20:8 victory for Marshall. Russia’s current AIBA World Heavyweight Champion Nadezhda Torlopova moved down to the Olympic 75kg last year and already showcased her power at the European Championships last year. Torlopova fought Kazakhstan’s AIBA World Championships silver medallist Marina Volnova and following a tactical first round, the Russian favourite advanced to the semi-finals where she will now meet English virtuoso Savannah Marshall.

Multiple US National Champion and Panamerican Champion Franchon Crews is a gold medal contender in the Light Heavyweight category after guaranteeing herself a podium finish. The strong US fighter was completely dominant against Kazakhstan’s Asian Champion Dariga Shakimova, who had moved up to Heavyweight prior to this event.

Hungary’s AIBA World Championships bronze medallist, 23-year-old Timea Nagy opened with a 3:1 lead against India’s former AIBA World Champion Jenny Lalremliani before extending her lead further in the second. In the end, the Hungarian’s polished display saw her prevail 18:11, securing Hungary’s only medal in Qinhuangdao.

China’s 21-year-old Asian Champion Li Yunfei dominated her quarter-final bout against Croatia’s European Championships bronze medallist Danijela Vernic and secured another medal for the host nation. She is the best Asian hope in this weight class and is on course for her big break-through on the internal stage after winning 20:2.

Russia’s heavyweight No.1, two-time AIBA World Champion veteran Irina Sinetskaya, who went unbeaten between 1999 and 2005, just had too much for her 16-year-old opponent Petra Szatmari of Hungary, who only started to box in 2009. The Hungarian ringside threw in the towel in the third round with Sinetskaya leading 10:3.

Tomorrow marks the rest day for the boxers, as the action returns on Friday for the semi-finals which will be broadcast LIVE on www.aibaboxingtv.com.