Paris Olympics 2024 boxing: Preeti Pawar advances to pre-quarterfinals with unanimous decision victory

PTC News Desk: Preeti Pawar of India defeated Vo Thi Kim Anh of Vietnam 5-0 at the North Paris Arena on Saturday to advance to the women’s 54 kg round of 16 boxing competition at the Paris Olympics 2024.

After a sluggish start, the 20-year-old Indian fighter got back on track to deliver strong blows in the closing moments of the opening frame. Six-time Vietnamese national champion Vo Thi Kim Anh, however, received the split judgment.

“When I went into the ring I was only thinking about what I needed to do,” Preeti stated. “I wanted to test her range and force her to fight in my territory in the opening round, but I lost that round via split decision.

However, I modified my approach. She clarified, “I needed to put more pressure on her. In the second and third rounds, I made her take backward steps while moving forward much more.

???????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????! Preeti Pawar wins her first bout at #Paris2024 with a win over Vo Thi Kim Anh by unanimous decision in the round of 32 in the women’s 54kg boxing event.

???? Despite Vo Thi Kim Anh throwing more number of punches, Preeti definitely looked… pic.twitter.com/7qUrlKU5uR

— India at Paris 2024 Olympics (@sportwalkmedia) July 27, 2024

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Pawar won the second round with some well-placed jabs and hooks. Attacking from the outset of the third round, Preeti Pawar put Vo Thi Kim Anh on the defensive. The Vietnamese fighter defended himself, but Preeti made some punches to advance to the round of 16.

In boxing, a semi-final appearance ensures a medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Preeti Pawar won a bronze medal in the women’s 54kg division at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China, last year, securing an Indian quota for Paris 2024.

There are six Indian boxers competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. In her round of 32 match on Sunday, Germany’s Maxi Carina Kloetzer will take against two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen. In the upcoming days, competitors include bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (women’s 75 kg), Amit Panghal (men’s 51 kg), Nishant Dev (men’s 71 kg), and Jaismine Lamboria (women’s 57 kg).

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