Boxer Sarita Devi beats Kuleshova in World Championships

BRIDGETOWN - Former world champion Laishram Sarita Devi defeated Alexandra Kuleshova of Russia in a pulsating contest of the 51-kg weight category at the sixth World Women’s Boxing Championships here.

Sarita Devi was aggressive in the bout and knocked the Russian out with an overall score of 11:8 points Friday. It was the first time that the two fought each other.

Sarita said she has worked very hard to reach her present level.

“I found it difficult against my opponent as she was shorter in height. I want to win the Gold medal here and after that my aim is to do well in the London Olympics 2012,” said Sarita

India had a bad day as far as the other three boxers were concerned. In the 64 kgs, Pratibha Jakhar lost to Jackson Cashmere of the US, as the referee stopped the contest in the first round when the score was 7:2.

In the 69 kgs, Kavita Goyat was unlucky to lose to Andrea Strohmayer of Germany on points 4:7 and Aswathy Mol lost to Sagaydakovskaya Inna of Russia with a scoreline of 1:5 in the 75 kgs.