Tokyo Olympics Boxing: Pooja Rani badly beaten in the Quarterfinal by Li Qian, medal hopes dashed – Pooja Rani crashed out of Tokyo Olympics after a 0-5 loss to China’s Li Qian in the quarterfinals of women’s 69-kg category. The Indian boxer, although started on a positive note, failed to land scoring punches as the Rio Olympics bronze medallist played some smart boxing to outscore her Indian opponent. However, Round 2 and 3 belonged to Li Qian who dominated Pooja Rani with some brilliant scoring punches to win on a unanimous decision. With that, India’s medal hopes in the 69-kg category was dashed.
The Chinese boxer advanced to the semi-final of the showpiece event after defeating Pooja. The Rio bronze medallist got off to a good start as she won the first round. All five judges gave her a 10 while Pooja bagged nine points. The Chinese boxer took the first round 5-0 against Pooja. In the second round also, Li Qian replicated the same and didn’t allow Pooja to get over her. The ace boxer clinched the essay 5-0 over the Indian pugilist.
Tokyo Olympics Boxing: Pooja needed a comeback in the last round but she couldn’t weather the storm as Li Qian won the final round again with a similar scoreline to end the Indian boxer’s campaign.
Earlier in the day, top-seed Amit Panghal crashed out of the showpiece event after losing to Colombia’s Yuberjen Martinez in men’s Flyweight (48-52kg).
Tokyo Olympics Boxing: Martinez overpowered Panghal in the last two rounds of the bout to clinch the match by a split decision of 4-1 to progress into the quarterfinals. This was Amit’s first game at the showpiece event.
Earlier this week, Mary Kom, the face of India’s boxing contingent, faced a shocking defeat — split decision — at the hands of Colombia’s Ingrit Valencia to bow out from mega sporting event.
Tokyo Olympics Boxing: Round 3 – Li Qian dominates, wins on a unanimous decision
Li Qian wins an easy round with Pooja Rani failing to land any meaningful punches.
Tokyo Olympics Boxing: ROUND 2 – Can Pooja Rani come back?
- Very fit, very effective – Chinese is landing punches at will Boxing medal in Olympics, Follow Pooja Rani vs Li Qian Quarterfinal live updates
Pooja Rani vs Li-Qian LIVE – Pooja Rani Quarterfinal LIVE: With Simranjeet Kaur and Mary Kom knocked out, the 30-year-old is the only reaming medal hopeful from the women’s boxing contingent at the Tokyo Olympics othen than Lovlina who has already made it to the semifinals.
Tokyo Olympics Boxing: Know about Pooja Rani’s Quarterfinal Opponent – Rani sealed her place in the last eight with a resounding 5-0 win over Algeria’s Ichrak Chaib. The 30-year-old from Haryana was at her lethal best – but now she will have to do something extraordinary to defeat very experienced Chinese, check how tough is Pooja Rani’s Quarterfinal Opponent –
- Li-Qian is Olympic bronze-medallist in RIO
- World Championship Gold Medallist in 2018
- Two-time Asian champion
- Should Rani prevail, it would mark a great personal triumph for the pugilist from Haryana, who has battled career-threatening injuries.
Pooja Rani vs Li-Qian – Head to Head: Li Qian has the edge over Pooja, having defeated her twice previously. Check previous meetings between the two –
- 2014 Asian Games – Li Qian defeated Pooja Rani 2-0
- 2020 Olympic Qualification – The Chines prevailed 5-0 during the Olympic qualification tournament in Amman, Jordan last year
- In the current tournament Chinese is 4th Seed
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Match Details: Pooja Rani vs Li Qian (Boxing- Women’s middleweight- Quarter-final)
Time: 3:36 PM IST
Date: 31-07-2021
Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena
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