World Boxing Cup Finals: Preeti Pawar makes winning return, armed with sharp counterattacks and improved defensive movements

World Boxing Cup Finals: Preeti Pawar makes winning return, armed with sharp counterattacks and improved defensive movements

When Preeti Pawar took the ring for her first bout at the World Boxing Cup Finals on Sunday, she was a little wary about how she would perform on her return to the international arena. However, it took her just three seconds to land her first punch on her opponent from Uzbekistan, Nigina Uktamova. She followed it up with a right hook and there was no stopping her for the rest of the bout.

In the battle of two Asian Games bronze medallists from the 2022 edition, Preeti prevailed unanimously 5-0 after three rounds, marking a winning return to international boxing since her last appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The promising boxer from Haryana, who lost a close bout in the round of 16 in Paris, was out of action for 15 months after suffering from Hepatitis A during the Olympics.

“I have been playing international competitions after a long time and had a lot of breaks after the Olympics. It took me some time to recover from Hepatitis A after the Olympics,” Preeti told the reporters after her first round win in the women’s 54kg category. “I was on complete rest for the first three months after the Olympics and slowly transitioned into training.”

After she started training, Preeti worked on improving her stamina. “I was training for endurance a lot. I played five rounds of boxing instead of three in sparring and did a lot of running,” Preeti said. Her work was visible in the bout as she used crisp combinations and controlled the contest throughout with her quick feet.

Working on counterattacks

During the 2023 IBA Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, Preeti caught the eye for her risk-taking and attacking display despite bowing out in the quarterfinals.

After Worlds and an early exit at the Olympics, Preeti has been working on adding weapons to her arsenal. “I am usually an attacking boxer but have been working on my defensive movements. I have also worked to strengthen my counterattacks, so that I can tackle all the scenarios against a variety of boxers,” Preeti said.

Additionally, Preeti has also worked on moving better side to side. “After she recovered and came back to training, we worked on her sideways movement. If a boxer can step sideways and then it opens more gaps in the opponent’s defence,” her coach and uncle Vinod Sai Pawar told The Indian Express.

Preeti returned to action at the national level in June when she competed in the nationals in Telangana. She took the national title with a dominant performance in the 54kg category, winning every bout by unanimous decision. The title gave her entry to the national camp, where sparring with experienced boxers helped her gain ground towards the international return. However, the comeback trail will face a stiff test when she comes up against reigning world champion Hsiao Wen Huang of Chinese Taipei in the semifinals.

Minakshi makes winning start

In the other significant bout of the day, 48kg World Champion Minakshi Hooda made a winning start, much to the joy of the sparse crowd present at the venue.

Playing against Kazakhstan’s Bolat Akbot, Minkashi started with a sharp jab but the Kazakh boxer responded with a right hook, making her intentions clear. However, Minakshi seized control of the bout with her fast footwork and sharp combinations. She prevailed 5-0 at the end and assured another medal for India. “This has been life’s best year. I am happy to be world champion but I know this is the first step and I have to train more because there is more focus on me now,” Minakshi said after her bout.

Five Indian male boxers will be in action on Monday as Hitesh Gulia, Naveen Kumar, Pawan Bartwal, Sumit, and Jadumani Singh take to the ring. Hitesh will face the toughest test as he will be up against Sewonrets Okazawa, World Championships silver medallist in the men’s 70kg category.