Former world medallists Shiva Thapa (63kg) and Sonia Lather (57kg) assured themselves of medals at the 71st Strandja Memorial boxing tournament by advancing to the semi-finals in Sofia, Bulgaria on Thursday.
Joining them was Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Mohammed Hussamuddin (57kg). He outpunched Ireland’s Kurt Walker 5-0 to make the medal rounds. He had claimed a silver in the 2017 edition of the event.
Former world silver-winner Lather (57kg) clinched a 3-2 triumph over Ireland’s Michaela Walsh in a hard-fought contest to enter the last-four stage.
Thapa, a bronze-winner from the 2015 world showpiece, got the better of Ireland’s George Bates in his quarter-final clash.
The four-time Asian medallist has clinched a Strandja medal for the first time in his three appearances at the season-opening European event. However, defending champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) bowed out. The former junior world champion was beaten 2-3 by American Christina Cruz. Zareen had claimed a gold medal at the previous edition of the event.
