Glasgow: L Sarita Devi assured at aleast a silver medal for India by punching her way into the final of women's lightweight (57-60kg) boxing competition after defeating Maria Machongua of Mozambique in a lop-sided contest.
Sarita, a former World Championships silver medallist, completely dominated her semifinal bout as she landed her punches onto her opponent almost at will. The ferocity of the 29-year-old Manipuri was such that her Mozombique opponent tried to hide herself by holding on to the body of the Indian.
Sarita sent her opponent onto the ropes several times during the bout with some powerful left and right hooks as the Mozambique boxer did not have any clue how to defend them.
Sarita got an unanimous 3-0 verdict with the three judges giving 40-33 40-32 and 40-34 scores in her favour in the four rounds of two minutes each.
Sarita later said that she was amused to see her opponent trying to hide her head instead of boxing. "She was hiding under me and I thought this woman does not want to do boxing. So I laughed during the bout," she said.
"This is the first time women's boxing is there in the Commonwealth Games and I want to win the gold. So I have to prepare well for the final," she added.
Asked about her son, Sarita said, "I have not seen him for more than four months and I am missing him."
