Sarita in pre-quarters, closer to Olympics

Qinhuangdao (China), May 14 (IANS) India's Sarita Devi (60 kg) edged closer to qualifying for the London Olympics with a surprise win over defending champion and World No.2 Gulsum Tatar of Turkey in the women's World Boxing Championship here Monday.

With this win, the Indian boxer made her way to the pre-quarterfinals. Sarita had to work tremendously hard to get past the Turk, beating her 14-13.

Competing for only the second time in an international event in this weight category, the Indian made a strong case for one of the two Olympic spots on offer.

Tied 3-3 in the opening round, she kept up the pressure on her fancied opponent by making it 4-4 in the next four minutes.

The Manipuri boxer then put on an impressive show as she managed to nose ahead in the fourth and final round.

She will now face England's Natasha Jonas, who defeated Switzerland's Sandra Bruegger 23-11.

Meanwhile, K. Mandakini Chanu (57kg) could not replicate her compatriot's success and went down 16-21 to World No.1 Tiara Brown of the US in the second round.