Shiva Thapa, Sonia Lather assure medals at Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament; Nikhat Zareen eliminated

Former world medallists Shiva Thapa (63kg) and Sonia Lather (57kg) assured themselves of medals at the 71st Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament by advancing to the semi-finals in Sofia, Bulgaria on Thursday. [caption id=“attachment_5824951” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Sonia Lather(Red) in action. AFP[/caption] Joining them was Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Mohammed Hussamuddin (57kg). He outpunched Ireland’s Kurt Walker 5-0 to make the medal rounds. He had claimed a silver in the 2017 edition of the event. Former world silver-winner Lather (57kg) clinched a 3-2 triumph over Ireland’s Michaela Walsh in a hard-fought contest to enter the last-four stage. Thapa, a bronze-winner from the 2015 world showpiece, got the better of Ireland’s George Bates in his quarter-final clash. The four-time Asian medallist has secured a Strandja medal for the first time in his three appearances at the season-opening European event. However, defending champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) bowed out. The former junior world champion was beaten 2-3 by American Christina Cruz. Zareen had claimed a gold medal at the previous edition of the event, which is in its 71st edition this year and features competitors from over 30 countries.