Jaismine Lamboria Inches Closer to Paris Olympic Quota with Dominant Victory

Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Jaismine Lamboria has taken a significant step towards securing an Olympic quota for India at the World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand. The 22-year-old, who dropped down from 60kg, dominated Ana Marija Milisic of Switzerland in the round of 16, winning by a unanimous decision (5-0) in the 57kg weight class.

With four quota places available in the women's 57kg category, Lamboria needs to win her quarterfinal on Sunday to book her ticket to the Paris Games and reclaim the quota for India. Parveen Hooda had initially secured the quota at the 2023 Asian Games, but her suspension for whereabouts failure forced India to surrender it.

Lamboria, who had competed in the Asian Games and the first World qualifiers in 60kg, was allowed to participate in the 57kg event as a reserve. The bout against Milisic started cautiously, but Lamboria soon showcased her technical superiority, repeatedly jabbing her opponent.

Despite Milisic's attempts to retaliate, Lamboria maintained distance with her long reach. She unleashed a combination of punches on a helpless Milisic, forcing the referee to give the Swiss a standing count. The bout resumed, but the outcome was clear.

In the men's 57kg, former youth world champion Sachin Siwach fought valiantly but lost 0-5 to Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam of the Philippines in the semifinals. However, Siwach will have another chance to secure an Olympic berth as the 57kg category offers three quotas. The two losing semifinalists will face off in a box-off on Sunday for the remaining quota.

Nishant Dev (71kg), Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) have already secured their passage to Paris.

Tags: #Boxing, #WorldOlympicBoxingQualifier, #JaismineLamboria, #Paris2024, #OlympicQuota