The final part of the preliminary bouts finished in the evening session at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships on Day 7. Spain, Kosovo, and Cape Verde set an all-time record in their women’s boxing history today evening.

The winners in the light flyweight (50kg), lightweight (60kg) and welterweight (66kg) are all quarter-finalists in Istanbul. After 214 bouts, the best 96 boxers have a chance to win the available 48 medals at the Championships.

Anamika and Cakiroglu were the first winners in the evening session

Australia’s Kristy Harris claimed a bronze medal at the 2018 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi but more than that, she was elected as IBA Independent Director during the Congress yesterday. The 30-year-old Australian boxer has a double mission in Istanbul and she prepared well for the fight against India’s Anamika which was the opening contest of the evening session. Both light flyweights (50kg) boxers are real fighters and tried to win their contest from a close distance today. The Indian coaches asked Anamika to calm down while Harris was not able to find the effective range on her debut in Istanbul. The number of the clear punches was less than expected before the contest but Anamika landed enough to win the bout. On the Ring B, the opening bout was won by the local star, Busenaz Cakiroglu who eliminated a dangerous rival, Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam.

“My opponent was a bronze medallist of the World Championships, I did not underestimate her and tried to move more than Harris. I am focusing not only on my next quarter-final bout but I want to win this Championships,” said India’s Anamika after her second triumph in Istanbul.

Villegas and Valencia overwhelmed their rivals

The Philippines’ lone competitor at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, Aira Villegas impressed the spectators in the first preliminary round and eliminated a talented German rival. The Filipino made a great decision to move down to the light flyweight (50kg). She showed an outstanding technique in her next contest against Serbia’s Nina Radovanovic. Her opponent was strong in her attacks but Villegas had the perfect footwork to handle them and land her punches in time. Radovanovic moved ahead and used her aggressive style. However, Villegas was quicker and more punctual today. Next to Villegas’ triumph, Colombia’s star Ingrit Valencia also dominated her contest in this weight class, she did a warm-up against Tajikistan’s Ruhafzo Haqnazarova before the key quarter-final tomorrow.

“I won my second contest in the Championships but I am expecting a hard fight against my Turkish opponent, Busenaz Cakiroglu. I don’t have any secrets, just hard work. I have wonderful coaches,” commented Aira Villegas.

Laura Fuertes is the first Spanish female boxer in the quarter-finals of all-times

The Spanish Boxing Federation sent five boxers to the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and their last hope was Laura Fuertes. She started her career in Asturias, and now she trains together with her promising teammates in their high-performance center in Madrid. The 23-year-old Spanish boxer looked too smart and quick for Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova in the first round which increased her confidence. The Bulgarian returned to the national team in time to prepare for these Championships but Fuertes was at a different level today. Chukanova moved ahead continuously but Fuertes’ plan worked better and won the contest by unanimous decision.

“I am the first boxer from my home country who advanced to the quarter-finals at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. This is an amazing feeling and I gave everything to this contest but I have 24 hours to recover before the quarter-final,” said Fuertes.

Perfect Greek performance in Istanbul

Greece’s Olga Papadatou eliminated Turkey’s Gizem Ozer in the afternoon session and advanced to the quarter-finals in the light welterweight (63kg). Her teammate, National Champion Marinela Cani joined the international events only this year but she started with success in Istanbul. The Greek lightweight (60kg) boxer landed several left-handed hooks in the first and second rounds to take the lead on the judges’ scorecards against Nepal’s Punam Rawal. The Tunisian referee counted the Nepali boxer in the third round and Cani followed Papadatou to the quarter-finals. Greece sent two boxers to the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and both are among the best eight in Istanbul.

Kosovo vs Chinese Taipei for the medal in the lightweight

Kosovo’s Donjeta Sadiku began her career with a silver medal at the 2015 AIBA Women’s Junior World Boxing Championships. She competed in all age groups but this event is her first Elite World Championships. The lightweight (60kg) boxer not only defeated her first rival in Istanbul but she succeeded in her second one against DR Congo’s Jocelyne Tshamala. The Kosovan boxer controlled the opening round and she was able to keep her level until the last bell which means Sadiku is the first women from her nation who advanced to the quarter-finals in the history of the event. The Kosovan will be meeting for the medal with Chinese Taipei’s Wu Shih Yi tomorrow following her next rival eliminated Uzbekistan’s Mokhinabonu Abdullayeva.

“I am tired after this crucial fight, but I am always happy when I win. It was a better performance than my first but I still have to increase my rhythm in the quarter-final tomorrow,” said Chinese Taipei’s Wu Shih Yi.

Beatriz Ferreira was too strong for Bustamante

Brazil’s defending champion in the lightweight (60kg), Beatriz Ferreira had quick success in the first preliminary round in Istanbul and she could expect a stronger contest against another South American boxer, Valentina Bustamante of Chile. Ferreira lost only one contest in the recent three years and she is one of the top stars of the entire Championships. Bustamante, who switched from Italy to Chile two years ago, accomplished her dream, she could meet with the Brazilian No.1. While Ferreira opened their contest with a nice left-handed hook, Bustamante also had nice moments in the first round. The Brazilian increased her tempo in the second and the referee counted her South American rival in the third which guaranteed Ferreira’s second triumph.

“I am highly confident in these Championships and my goal is clear – to win all of my fights and defend the world title in Istanbul,” said Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira.

Turkey, Uzbekistan and Cape Verde impressed in the welterweight

Another defending champion, Turkey’s Busenaz Surmeneli continued her strong campaign at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. She felt the strong support of the local fans and easily dominated the first round against USA boxer Arika Skoog. The Turkish welterweight (66kg) star was better in all aspects of boxing than her US rival and enjoyed this contest. She also played for the crowd and landed enough powerful shots to win the contest after six minutes when the USA coaches abandoned the bout. Surmeneli will be meeting for the guaranteed medal with Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova who had a tight success over Hungary’s Luca Hamori. In the Ring A, Cape Verde’s historical triumph was delivered by Ivanusa Gomes Moreira who won her contest against Everline Oloo from Kenya.

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