The first quarter-finals stage of the AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Boxing Championships Taipei 2015 was held today at the Xinzhuang Stadium, where many winners on Day 4 advanced through to the semi-finals stage of the competition, and earned a guaranteed bronze medal in the process.

Bout of the day

Chinese Taipei’s Chen Nien Chin began these Championships as one of the biggest gold medal hopes for her country after winning major medals in the 2013 AIBA Women’s Junior World Boxing Championships, and the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

High expectations surrounded Chin to win the Youth Middleweight class (75 kg) in front of a home audience, and her first opponent in Taipei was Zheng Lu, who had replaced Chen Simin in the Chinese squad just before this competition started.

Chin began their contest well with accurate punches breaking the defence of her opponent, but as the fight progressed, Lu improved immensely, and her energy and determination enabled her to control the rest of the rounds.

The final verdict of a hugely entertaining and meaningful contest was a split decision success for Zheng Lu, who delivered the biggest surprise so far of the AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Boxing Championships Taipei 2015.

Team of the day

The United States of America had an excellent day in Taipei, beginning with Heaven Garcia who dominated her quarter-final contest with Nepal’s ‘AIBA Road to Taipei Program’ member Kusum Tamang.

Garcia was far too powerful for her tough opponent, and her lethal punches caused the fight to be stopped in round two.

US Women’s Junior National Champion Zhane Crockett then defeated Ireland’s Orla Garvey in a ferocious battle, before Yarisel Ramirez also advanced to the semi-finals in Taipei.

The American victories kept coming as Ariel Arismendez eliminated Thailand’s Rewadee Phonok from the Youth Light Welterweight class (64 kg), while Iesha Kenney stopped Canada’s Taylor Ross.

Surprises of the day

England’s EUBC European Women’s Junior Continental Champion Ebonie Jones lost her first match since September 2013 in Taipei as she was defeated by Korea’s Lee Suk Yeong, while Russia’s Junior National Champion Anastasia Selina was shocked by US Junior National Champion Yarisel Ramirez.

Selina opened with effective punches in the first round, but the 16-year-old US hope did not give up their battle easily, and eventually defeated the main gold medal contender of the Junior Bantamweight class (54 kg).

Despite being a newcomer in Kazakhstan’s national team, Guzal Sadykova is proving her skills at international level, and the 15-year-old Middleweight class (75 kg) boxer earned a guaranteed medal after knocking down and beating Poland’s EUBC European Women’s Junior Continental Championships silver medallist Weronika Plawecka.

Ones to watch

Russia’s two-time Junior National Champion Liudmila Vorontsova defeated India’s Ani Lama in the Nations Women’s Junior Cup four months ago, and excelled in their rematch as well.

Lama could not compete with the onslaught of Vorontsova, who displayed her power by knocking down her Indian opponent in the opening round.

The Russian star continued the pressure in round two, and her aggressive style saw the referee stop the bout in the second frame.

China’s Yu Lisai celebrated her 15th birthday in March, and arrived in Taipei with an undefeated record, which continues in this tournament after an impressive victory over Chinese Taipei’s two-time National Champion Shao Yi Yun.

Fact of the day

After the fourth competition day of the AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Boxing Championships Taipei 2015, the following nations have earned guaranteed medals:

Kazakhstan: 9 medals

Russia: 8 medals

United States of America: 4 medals

China, India, Mongolia: 3 medals

Poland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine: 2 medals

Azerbaijan, Chinese Taipei, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Korea: 1 medal

Quote of the day

“I felt really good and confident today. My Nepali opponent tried to achieve her rhythm, but I did not let her get it. In the semi-finals I hope I can follow whatever my coach tells me and get that win as well. Of course my target is to win the gold medal in Taipei, and to take it back home,” said US Junior hope Heaven Garcia after her quick victory on Day 4.

Tomorrow’s program

The second part of the quarter-finals will be held tomorrow in the AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Boxing Championships Taipei 2015, where 21 Junior and 28 Youth bouts take place on the fifth competition day.

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