Paris, July 28 (UNI) In a display of raw determination, India’s Preeti Pawar stormed into the women’s 54kg round of 16 at the Paris Olympics, overwhelming Vietnam’s Vo Thi Kim Anh with a commanding 5-0 victory on Saturday.
The bout began with the 20-year-old Indian prodigy taking her time to gauge her formidable opponent. Despite a slow start, Pawar’s resolve never wavered. As the final minute of the first round ticked away, she unleashed a flurry of powerful punches. However, the judges awarded the round to Vo Thi Kim Anh, a seasoned six-time Vietnamese national champion, by a split decision.
Adapting swiftly, Pawar turned the tide in the second round. With relentless pressure and precise strikes, she forced her opponent into retreat, clinching the round decisively. Her strategic brilliance shone as she meticulously dismantled Vo Thi Kim Anh’s defenses.
Entering the third round with unwavering aggression, Preeti Pawar maintained her onslaught, driving the Vietnamese boxer onto the back foot. The arena buzzed with anticipation as Preeti’s relentless attacks connected time and again, sealing her passage into the round of 16.
This triumph is another feather in the cap for Preeti, who secured India’s quota for the Paris 2024 Olympics with a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, last year. A semifinal appearance in boxing guarantees a medal, and Preeti is now just one step away from making history.
The Indian contingent in Paris is brimming with talent. Joining Preeti in the quest for glory are two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen, set to face Germany’s Maxi Carina Kloetzer in her round of 32 bout on Sunday, and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (women’s 75kg).
The men’s team features the formidable Amit Panghal (men’s 51kg) and Nishant Dev (men’s 71kg), while Jaismine Lamboria will represent India in the women’s 57kg category.
As the Paris 2024 Olympics continue to unfold, the world watches with bated breath, eager to witness the triumphs and stories of perseverance that define this grand stage.
Preeti’s remarkable journey is a testament to the spirit of boxing and the indomitable will of an athlete destined for greatness.
