Seasoned Indian boxer Pooja Rani toiled hard for her maiden World Championships medal as she eked out a patchy victory over Emilia Koterska of Poland to move to the women's 80kg semifinals here.
The 34-year-old Pooja, who received a first round bye, relied on her vast reservoir of experience to edge past teenager Koterska 3-2 in the quarterfinals late on Wednesday night. The 80kg is a non-Olympic weight category and features 12 boxers in the ongoing competition.
With this victory, the two-time Asian champion joined Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) in assuring India of medals in this edition of the tournament.
Meanwhile, India's men's campaign suffered another setback as Abhinash Jamwal bowed out with a 1-4 split decision loss to Olympic bronze medallist Lasha Guruli of Georgia in the 65kg quarterfinals. With his exit, only Jadumani Singh (50kg) remains in contention from the men's squad. He will face reigning world champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay of Kazakhstan in the last-eight stage.
This tournament marks a sharp decline for India from the previous edition in Tashkent, where they returned with three medals clinched by Deepak Bhoria (51kg), Mohammad Hussamuddin (57kg) and Nishan Dev (71kg), who all won bronze.
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In the last edition of the women's tournament, hosts India had won four gold medals with Nitu Ghanghas (48kg), Nikhat (50kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Saweety Boora (81kg) all winning their finals.
Against Kotersk, Pooja came out with both hands swinging, but she was not able to connect punches in the opening round. The Pole countered to take the round 3-2.
The tenacious Pooja, a 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist, significantly raised the level of her game in the middle round as she kept at it, connecting some big powerful hooks to take the round on all cards to get a major advantage.
By the third round, both boxers were spent, but Pooja's composure and sharp backhands ensured that she did just enough to seal the bout and guarantee herself a podium finish. Pooja will next face local boxer Emily Asquith in the semifinals.
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