India scores boxing gold

Fri, May 13 2011

One day after India's boxing stars Vijender Singh and Kumar Akhil both lost their semi-final bouts in the Arafura Games ring, India's Pinki Jangra restored her country's pride by winning gold for India in the women's fly weight.

In three rounds, Jangra took out an 18-13 points decision against New Zealand's Siona Fernandes.

"I'm very proud of her, she's made her people and her country proud," women's coach Amanpreet Kaur said.

"She's a good boxer," her coach said. "We are very happy."

Only three bouts after Jangra's victory India's Meena Rani was disqualified in the second round against Aleexis Pritchard, of New Zealand, leaving the ring in tears.

Coach Kaur said she was "disappointed".

"In the boxing one will win and one will lose.

"If they lose because they are not good enough, that's okay - but not because of disqualification.”

Ms Kaur said while her boxer had stepped back from her opponent when asked to, the judges had disqualified Rani for not obeying the rules.

"She's crying now. It's not fair."

The third Indian female in the ring, Pooja Rani also missed out on a gold medal, after losing her bout against Arlene Blencowe, New South Wales.

Leading after two rounds, Rani seemed to be tired and exhausted in round three which saw Blencowe come back to 12 all. 

With a cheering crowd behind her the Australian boxer continued her comeback in round four, beating Rani 19-17.

The men's bouts for gold start at 7pm tonight at the Arafura Central boxing ring and will be broadcasted live on the web at

www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au/webcast.
 

More information Arafura Games Media Centra (08) 8982 2333.