Women pugilists claim three gold

World champion Nitu Ghanghas opened the floodgates as Indian women boxers dominated the Asian Youth Championships, claiming three gold medals here on Friday.

The lanky Nitu (48kg) out-punched local favourite Nillada Meekoon in front of a partisan crowd to claim the first gold for India, following which Manisha (64kg) and Lalita (69kg) also finished on top in the tournament, also a qualifier for the October Youth Olympics in Argentina.

Settling for silver medals were lone male finalist Ankit Khatana (60kg) and Anamika (51kg) and Sakshi (81kg).

Nitu's dominating win was laced with her trademark straight punches, accurate and powerful, against an opponent whose nationality itself had made her a slight favourite going into the bout.

Manisha's was a split 3-2 win over Idimokh Kholova of Tajikistan. The Indian's hooks carried more power compared to Kholova, who was certainly the sharper of the two with rhythmic foot movement.

Lalita then got the better of Kazakh Beisebayeva Maiya in a fine tactical performance. It wasn't the cleanest of fights and the Indian displayed fine defensive skills to thwart her aggressive but inaccurate opponent.

However, Sakshi lost to a Kazakh in Guzal Sadikova, unable to match the sheer power of her opponent, whose endurance was another standout feature of her performance.

Earlier, the lone Indian male finalist, Ankit was defeated by Thailand's Atichai Phoemsap, while Anamika could not break through the defences of Kazakh Zhansaya Abdraimova and settled for a second-place finish.

As for qualification to Youth Olympics, Ankit (60kg) and two bronze-medallists Bhavesh Kattimani (52kg) and Aman (+91kg) have qualified among the men.

Anamika (51kg) and Astha (75kg) are assured of tickets to Buenos Aires among the women.

Four women's weight categories -- 51kg, 57kg, 75kg and 60kg -- will feature at the Games and from the ongoing event, the top-four have made the cut.